Anyone ever use phosguard?

[Nick Fr.]

Hello,
I've been having trouble with algae in my reef it is only a 3 gallon but I had just added my first coral and then the algae got so bad that I almost took out all the rock and scrubbed it but I went to the lfs and got some PhosGuard and put it into the filter. Within 3 days 80% of the nuisance was gone and the pink coraline was not being suffocated anymore. So to anyone who is having trouble with algae I recomend this to you.

 

[r0bin]

What type of filter do you have that you put it in?

 

[Nick Fr.]

Its an Aquaclear 70 that I modded into a hang-on sump/fuge, it has chemi-pure elite, phosguard, filter floss and a heater in one compartment. And in the second compartment it has chaeto.

 

[IslandCrow]

As much as I like Seachem products, I don't believe Phosguard is a GFO (granular ferric oxide). That's not to say it's not effective, but I'd go with a GFO like Phosban instead. The filter is important as well. You want to get good flow through it, but not too much. Phosban reactors work best, but other methods are effective. I just run mine through a filter sock on my return line, which isn't the most efficient way, but it works.

 

[Nick Fr.]

Thanks

 

[patsfan1130]

I used it for many years with no ill effects what so ever. It did a good job removing PO4 from my tanks. I have since switched to a GFO. Phosguard is AL based. Seachem states it does not leach AL into the water and I have no reason to not believe it. Phosban or other GFO products are more efficient IMO. Phosguard needs to be changed quite reularly. Phosban can last for months depending on your PO4 level so the cost is quite less. Phosguard can be expensive.

 

[Nick Fr.]

Yeah, since I have such a small tank after i take it out i'll see if the cuc crew can control it and chaeto can control it. they just couldn't control it enough to eat it all.