PhosbusterPro
- Thread starter The Saltwater Kid
- Start date
The Saltwater Kid
New member
yes I did just get my water tested...everything is good except my Alkalinity was low (6.5) and my Calcium was on the low side (400). I have been using Seachem's Reef Builder to bring my Alkalinity back to where it's supposed to be and am dosing Kent Marines Liquid Calcium to bring that back up to a good level.
boxfishpooalot
Active member
If anyone is wondering phospbuster pro is Lanthanum Chloride. 
And it precipitates phosphate with calcium and alkalinity. Both will drop.
By the way pool companies sell this too. Im not sure how pure it is, but some people used it.
And it precipitates phosphate with calcium and alkalinity. Both will drop.By the way pool companies sell this too. Im not sure how pure it is, but some people used it.
jdieck
New member
I personally prefer adsorbing medias as the phosphate is removed with the media, even if precipitated it will remain in the tank, I would be afraid that a drop in PH may eventually release it back specially if it gets in the low PH areas of the sand bed.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9315899#post9315899 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by boxfishpooalot
If anyone is wondering phospbuster pro is Lanthanum Chloride.
By the way pool companies sell this too. Im not sure how pure it is, but some people used it.
The Saltwater Kid
New member
so will a phosphate remover lower my PH? My PH is at 8.0 now and i don't want it to go any lower...would i have to use a PH Buffer along with a phosphate remover to make sure my PH doesn't go to low?
kzooreefer
New member
Thanks for clearing up what the PhosbusterPro is made of. I just assumed Ferrous chloride as it is cheap and widely used in the water industry for phosphate control and I think someone else told me that was what it was too. I've never had the alkalinity drop using PhosbusterPro but they do suggest buffering the system first which I didn't do, my alk was at 11 when I started and 11 when I finished dosing. I also had no problems with the pH, 8.1 all the way through.
jdieck
New member
GFOs (Phosban, Rowaphos, Warner's PHOsR) are diferent crystal forms of Ferric Oxide Hydroxide, They may consume some alkalinity that can easily be adjusted if necesary using some baking soda but in general they do not really afect it significantly. They do not afet PH at all.
Here is an article on them:
Iron Oxide Hydroxide (GFO) Phosphate Binders
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.htm
Here is an article on them:
Iron Oxide Hydroxide (GFO) Phosphate Binders
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.htm
boxfishpooalot
Active member
I personally prefer adsorbing medias as the phosphate is removed with the media
Yes this is a better choice for low amounts of phosphate, I agree.But with large amounts lanthanum chloride works much faster for less money :lol:
so will a phosphate remover lower my PH? My PH is at 8.0 now and i don't want it to go any lower...would i have to use a PH Buffer along with a phosphate remover to make sure my PH doesn't go to low?
It will lower the ph by lowering alkalinity. If it drops. Co2 in the air largly contributes to low ph.
Thanks for clearing up what the PhosbusterPro is made of.
Im not 100% sure if thats what it is, but being since it precipitates white flakes, that seems logical. And many people have also stated thats what it is. your welcome.
Yes this is a better choice for low amounts of phosphate, I agree.But with large amounts lanthanum chloride works much faster for less money :lol:
so will a phosphate remover lower my PH? My PH is at 8.0 now and i don't want it to go any lower...would i have to use a PH Buffer along with a phosphate remover to make sure my PH doesn't go to low?
It will lower the ph by lowering alkalinity. If it drops. Co2 in the air largly contributes to low ph.
Thanks for clearing up what the PhosbusterPro is made of.
Im not 100% sure if thats what it is, but being since it precipitates white flakes, that seems logical. And many people have also stated thats what it is.
your welcome.The Saltwater Kid
New member
so if I add some reef builder along with the phos remover my alkalinity and pH should stay stable?
boxfishpooalot
Active member
Yea but dont over dose. Check the alk first then raise it to about 3.5meq/l .
Here is the calc for know dosage amounts of baking soda. Bake 1 part of baking soda to 6 parts reg baking soda in the oven at 450 for 1 hour, to obtain a ph of 8.2 approx when added.
http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/chemcalc.html
Here is the calc for know dosage amounts of baking soda. Bake 1 part of baking soda to 6 parts reg baking soda in the oven at 450 for 1 hour, to obtain a ph of 8.2 approx when added.
http://jdieck1.home.comcast.net/chemcalc.html
boxfishpooalot
Active member
And just to be sure do you understand alkalinity totally? Alkalinity is the meausure of a substance. It is mostly baking soda(or bicarbonate) notice the carbonate. That is what impacts ph to some extent.
But the biggest concern with ph is that its effected by Co2 in the air(carbon dioxide) that you breath. If you open a window on a windy day, the air normalizes and Co2 escapes out the window and your tank ph will rise. The alk will stay the same. Ph imo is unimportant if its between 7.8-8.5. Alkalinity is much more important, as its more of a food in the water much like nitrates and phosphates.
But the biggest concern with ph is that its effected by Co2 in the air(carbon dioxide) that you breath. If you open a window on a windy day, the air normalizes and Co2 escapes out the window and your tank ph will rise. The alk will stay the same. Ph imo is unimportant if its between 7.8-8.5. Alkalinity is much more important, as its more of a food in the water much like nitrates and phosphates.
