Phosguard and Carbon amounts in reactors

[Reggae Fish]

I am setting up my 2 phosban reactors. One will be for phosban (however, I will be using phosguard until I'm out)
How much or how high should I fill it. I know the phosban will look like it's boiling or simmering. Will the phosguard have the same effect? If not, what should I look for?

On the second one, it will be straight carbon. How much or how high should I fill it?

Thanks,
Justin

 

[ncox38]

Im interested to hear peoples answers to this one. The Phosban can go 3/4 with out having any issues, but i have problems with the carbon clumping against the top. I have tried 3/4, then cut it back to half, still does it.

 

[Reggae Fish]

You fill phosban 3/4 of the way? Isn't that alot? Max is 250ml. Do you know appox. how much you're using to get 3/4 full?

 

[JxMetal]

fill the carbon up!

I use a half reactor of phosban. but I have a smaller tank.

If I filled both I may need another pump to get the phosban to move.

I have no issue with clumping carbon. I use black diamond

 

[ncox38]

No idea how much Im using. I have a big tub, it doesnt look like I have used hardly any and i am on my second round. How long does it last? I went about a month then i saw my hair algae that was declining was starting to come back so I changed it.

I use Black diamond too, but some floats to the top then clumps and slows the flow to a stop.

 

[JxMetal]

I don't give mine any room to float. its just jammed as full as possible.

I change phosban monthly and carbon bimonthly or monthly depending on if I decide to do it early or not.

 

[Randy1]

The amount of phosban just go by the directions. I only have about 1 1/2 inches or so on the bottom of my reactor for a 90Gal. tank. Carbon 1/2 cup per 40Gals. of water changed monthly.

 

[frenchie]

i fill mine all the way full of carbon and run for 3 weeks and then 3/4 full of phosguard for 3 weeks. I interchange every three weeks when needed.

 

[Randy1]

Wow thats a lot of Phosban to keep buying. Do you feel you need to use that much in order to totally remove all po4?

 

[zt444a]

I really don't think you need to run Phosban all the time. If phos[hates are under control, then they are under control and you are spending money for nothing.

If you have phosphate issues, I'd look for the cause. Otherwise I'd just occassionally run the Phosban.

Also, unless I am mistaken, if Phosban tumbles too much it will dissolve into a fine powder and clog your pump and possibly foul your system.

I pack a bit of carbon into my reactor, pour my phosban on top of that (whatever amount I desire), and then carbon up to the top of the reactor. It helps keep the Phosban from grinding up into powder as well.

Howard

 

[Randy1]

Ya, thats what I do too. I have about 1 1/2 inches of Phosban, sponge then the rest carbon about 2 1/2 cups in the same reactor.

 

[akrimmel]

if using just phosban i fill mine 1/3rd full.