Phosphate .02 should I run phos reactor?

[sps1-2-b]

Just tested my water with Hanna photometer low range and got .02. I have a tlf phosban reactor not hooked up yet. Should I run it or don't bother? I have A LOT of chaeto in my fuge (prolly why my phosphate is low). Is the goal to get phosphate to zero? Thanks.

 

[tmantaylor18]

Hey sps1-2-b, have you visited the southern California reefers forum here? If you haven't you really should ! Anyways, IMO you should be fine. I run my tank w/out one but also have a fuge and my sps are thriving! I will be chiming into the thread also though..... so lets see!!!!

 

[sps1-2-b]

Yeah, just picked the Hanna and the TLF reactor from Scissorhand. I've read the debate about running chaeto and phosban reactor. Some say it's not good to run both, and some say they run both with no problems. I may have opened up another can of worms.

 

[sps1-2-b]

Anyone?

 

[A.VOID]

if you already have it, then why not run it?
What are you hesistant about?
The things are pretty inepensive to operate (comparably)

 

[Nuuze]

I'm running a refugium/chaeto/red algea with phosban/rowaphos (1/2 dose). Phosphates are currently at 0.03. Oh, I'm also dosing 3.6ml of vodka daily. I may cut the vodka dose in half or stop for now since I put the phosban online two weeks ago when levels were 0.19. Doesn't chaeto help with nitrates as well?Tagging along.

 

[JOSE CASAS]

If po4 is that low and you can mantain I wouldnt run it. Just more work to refill and $$$$$ HTH.

 

[miwoodar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13415797#post13415797 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JOSE CASAS
If po4 is that low and you can mantain I wouldnt run it. Just more work to refill and $$$$$ HTH.

I'm with Jose.

 

[jamesdawson]

In most cases, having a little bit of PO4 (and .02 qualifies there) and a little bit of nitrate is actually a good thing (especially as measured by an electronic testor like a Hanna as they take most of the likelihood of testing error out of the equation)
.
Your corals will be more colorful as a result of having this small amount of nutrients to feed on.

The exception is if you add aminos as they will substitute these for food. Zeolith systems do this.

James

 

[sps1-2-b]

Thanks everyone. Looks like I'm not going to start the phosban reactor until I can't maintain the phosphates at the low level I have it now. Just wanted to know if getting the phosphate lower than .02 would be beneficial. Seems like the majority say let everything be right now. Again thanks for all the replies.

 

[poknsnok]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13415885#post13415885 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamesdawson
In most cases, having a little bit of PO4 (and .02 qualifies there) and a little bit of nitrate is actually a good thing (especially as measured by an electronic testor like a Hanna as they take most of the likelihood of testing error out of the equation)
.
Your corals will be more colorful as a result of having this small amount of nutrients to feed on.

The exception is if you add aminos as they will substitute these for food. Zeolith systems do this.

James

ditto.. my corals look much better with a po4 at .02 and nitrate at 3ppm. via hannah and Lamotted kits