p04 media

bryanth73

bryanth73

New member
anyone using any p04 media and which kind? I dont have room for a refuge anymore and am seeing calurpa(spelling) growing in the tank fairly fast. Coral coloration is poor so I am thinking there is a phosphate issue.
 
I have used Rowaphos, Phosban and now on to PhosLoc. Not sure I have been happy with any of them, but I don't think I was using the first 2 correctly (i.e. too much flow through the reactor).

Currently I am using Phosloc and although I cannot be positive, I have experienced coral bleaching and death over the last 2 days. I say I cannot be positive it was the PhosLoc because over the last week I had blown out my pH controller and had the Ca reactor off line for 5 days (result was a decrease in Ca to 370 and Mg to 1050), cleaned my light pendants (more light in the tank) and toothbrush scrubbed the hair algae in the tank.
 
RowaPhos is a great product, but kind of expensive. Supposedly PhosLoc is the same thing but cheaper. You do need to be careful with these products because you can experience some bleaching of corals. Many people suggest using half the suggested amount to start.
 
Phosguard, been using it for over a yr now, haven't noticed any problems but I've only had zoo's and mushrooms in the tank for the full yr that I was using it (Clams for 3 months). As for PO4, tested at 1.0 and 2 days later 0, one of the best purchases I've ever made.
 
Why Phosphates right? The dreaded evil, neusance. Wrong!!. Do not fully eradicate all Po3 in the tank,otherwise you gonna experience bleaching, STN or often fatal RTN. Po3 of .01 to.05 max. is good and 1 being too much. Corals consumes Po3, its one of their building blocks to grow and live. If you experiencing high Po3 reduce'em slowly and keep it low and keep plenty herbavours to balance the tank. Hope this help's understanding Po3.Not bad at all if you keep'em low.;) ....................PEACE
 
Menard: how do you create the balance? Limited use of Phosban media, limiting the time the reactor is on, ????

Thanks
 
menard look at sea level params po4 is verry low, much lower than we keep in our reefs. I have never heard any one say po4 in any form is good in a reef, any lit to verify that claim????
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7445775#post7445775 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bryanth73
menard look at sea level params po4 is verry low, much lower than we keep in our reefs. I have never heard any one say po4 in any form is good in a reef, any lit to verify that claim????
Click to expand...
Hello
Menard said it, so it shall be written...
 
I use RowaPhos it helped get my phosphates down but their not at zero. Once I get my fuge going I'll probably stop using it. You definatly need to start slow!
 
Folks, you dont have to follow what I said.I'm just giving you an over view what can Po3 do if its left uncheck and exceeded its limits in the tank nor in nature. You gonna start pulling your hair, but if you stay w/ in limits most of the time the favor is in you. For so many yrs. I been doing this hobby If I keep my limits below 1 and sometimes it would climb by a hair, then I cut down on feedings,I start driping kalk. water changes, I make sure my CA. and ALK. is in balance, restacking my herbavours. thing like that.I'm gonna say this one more time Po3 only becomes a problem if you let it climb too high. All my yrs. of reef keeping my Po3 never reads zero but stays very low. Tank is OK w/ that.and my corals saids it too.;) .....................PEACE ( Example, my tank w/ slight Po3 content )
IMG_0885Medium.jpg
 
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Well, I always thought that PO4 was always there, even though the test read 0. I thought that it meant that it was to low for the test to read it.....? Don't know if that even makes sense but that is how I understood it.
 
Rowaphos. Period. Also, a chemical filtrant called Polyfilter i have noticed battles phosphates. obviously, the water from your ro unit shouldnt have phosphates and test the mixed water to make sure your salt brand isnt packed with them
 
Hmmmm...I think an interesting article would be for someone of respected chemistry skills to perhaps compare the various phosphate binders on the market and publish that story in a reef related publication. Perhaps I'll submit that as a suggestion...or maybe someone is way ahead of me.

FWIW, I use phosban in small amounts....One reactor on my 425 gallon system. I agree with menard in as much as lowering phosphate very slowly. You do more damage by dropping it fast because these media are very effective. However, other than seeing his incredible tank, I've not heard of the value of keeping any level of measurable phosphates in our closed systems.
 
You wanna find some good article? Albert Thiel, lost article must be floting around somewhere. My hero,wishing all that supplement still around, such as Liquid Gold, KSM ,man this are good stuff..........................PEACE
 
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