Phosphate Reactor.
- Thread starter racer69
- Start date
reefkoi
Premium Member
You know i think there are a lot of phos. sources in all tanks. Food is one thats hard to avoid. Some getting past the RO water, maybe the salt?
I started up a phos reactor in sept. my slime algae problem cleared, I cant guarantee it was the reactor but i will continue its use to be sure. I use rowa phos in it, and change it all out bi-monthly. I talked with the reps from rowa at MACNA, they had a demo tank going with a phos reactor. The flow was very slow, it was a 1/2" hose that just barely pee'd out the end i asked about that and they said keep the flow very slow, doesnt matter what size tank. Just enough to see the media moving, not really even a good tumble just a "churning" maybe. He said to test and when the levels of phosphate reach a certain point to then change out the media. I dont want to test, so i just change it out every other month some say monthly, but that stuff is expensive
racer69
New member
Chris, do you get the Rowa locally, or do you order it? I like to have well fed healthy fish and that tends to push up the phos. But look at it this way, I haven't lost a fish in a long time due to sickness or parasite and I have 4 tangs. I won't say anything about carpet surfing though.lol
Salsalito25
New member
I have a reactor made by 2 lil fishes with a 80 gal hr ehiem pump.. Its up fpr grabs for $40...
Deuce67
New member
Todd, I got half a jar of Phosban that you can have. Be very carefull using phosphate removers such as Phosban or any iron ferrite based media. Use only half of whats recommended. Taking out phosphates too quickly can be damaging to your corals. A very slow flow though the media is a must.
Deuce67
New member
Todd, from what I understand, the vodka method helps removing the N and P. It looks like it has done the job on the N but still has a bit to go on the P. You may just have some pooled nutrients still stored. In zeo which I think vodka is just the same concept by using bacteria, PO4 removers are not recommended as it may cause problems. I would let the vodka take its course in eliminating your P as it may just be still doing its job on your pooled nutrients. What are you PO4 levels? Are you experiencing some unwanted algae?
murfman
New member
reefkoi
Premium Member
I buy it from marine depot. What did you measure for
PO4-3 orthophosphate? or PO4-P which is phosphate phosphorus?
According to people smarter than me the 1st one should be lower than .045 ppm and the second .015 ppm or lower. Now you dont want to be at .ooo corals do need some phosphate, it just needs to be managed. I have heard that most all hobbiest test kits wont read accuratly in this low of a range, thats why I use it, with very slow flow and hope for the best. If you can detect it below .015 than you have a good kit.
I fully agree about feeding, and so do most authors these days. It used to be starve them for the sake of corals but now most are telling us to feed to keep them healthy and export the nutrients with all available products.
Chris
