Large tanks and phosphates

[erich1980]

Hi all,

I would have one question with regards to problem which is such old as reef aquarstic... Is there any relatively cheap way to keep phospates really low (SPS) in large, heavy live stocked tanks? Me (approx. 180 gal) and friend of mine (approx 500 gal) are trying to solve it for pretty long time without spectacular results. ROWA appeared to be too expensive and insufficiently capable.

What about Microbe Lift phosphate remover (known as ink)? It is suitable for rapid decrease (unlucky for SPS) but hard to manage when phosphats are below 0,2...

Have you got any ideas or experiences, suggestions? Thanks in advance!

 

[mbingha]

Carbon dosing (vinegar or vodka) is a cheap way that is proven to remove nitrates and phosphates.

 

[polleke]

Carbon dosing (vinegar or vodka) is a cheap way that is proven to remove nitrates and phosphates.

That should work, and when you have low nitrates already dose both carbon and nitrates (sodium nitrate or something like that) because both are needed for bacterial growth.

 

[d3hree]

Lanthanum iirc is the cheapest and quickest way of removing po4 from large systems...read up on it though because it comes with its own set of issues if used incorrectly

 

[Psxerholic]

I use sucessfully GFO from the Filterguyz in the large Phosban reactor as pellets with low flow and combine bio pellets from VORTEX only.
The GFO reactor is fed from the last refugium stage and completely covered in foil to avoid lights inside the reactors.
Low flow and high stocked reef and have to change the GFO every two/three months on a 200G system.
30% Pellets are replaced every three months as well.
In addition celato algae in the sump.