Phosphates

[tommyz44]

Hey question for some of you veterans out there. I am having some issues with a little bit of algae. Phosphates are showing usually between .25-.5 i was thinking about getting somthing like a Phosban reactor 150. Its for a 30 gal display with a 10gal sump. I saw from reading you can use this for either GFO or Carbon. Can you do a small mix of both? Thanks for any info/input you might have

 

[Breakbeats2334]

You have a few options you could just use gfo with the goal of lowering your phosphates or you could use carbon as well. I've never used carbon and gfo in the same reactor but I know it is a common practice. Prior to having multiple reactors I use to just put carbon in a mesh bag in the sump hope this helps.

 

[tommyz44]

Cool thanks right now i actually have a penguin HOB filter minus the bio wheel so i dont get a huge nitrate spike. So it has some water flowing through the carbon filter pad to add a bit of carbon into the system. The phosban 150 is really cheap and has good ratings. so i guess it woudlnt hurt to try anyway at 30$.
i did just find this article
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2032687
looks like as long as i keep the GFO tumbling and the GAC at the top so that it does not tumble and only has water pass it should be fine.

 

[Breakbeats2334]

Sounds good post your results

 

[tommyz44]

Will do just bought the Two Little Fishies Phosban 150 w/o pump is 29.99 right now at drfoster. I have a pump sittin around rated 150GPH so it fits fine. I Also bought TLF Phosban GFO to see how well it works. The GAF i will be using is the BRS type had a 1lb can of it sittin around that i will try

(Just posted this incase anyone wanted to know the exact specs )

Drfoster is usually fast so im sure i will be getting it somtime this week.

 

[jmaiello04]

Tommy -

I run both GFO and Carbon in my MR1 reactor, with no problems. I'm sure I don't change the GFO out enough, but it seems to do the job.

FYI, if you want to check your phosphates at lower levels, I have a Hannah checker that you could borrow.

Jared

 

[tommyz44]

Awsome good to hear! i was hopping i could do both in 1 reactor...the HOB adds some but its small so it doesnt add much. Even if you dont change out enough ANY GFO is better then none. and at .25-.5 it would help starve out some algae. Once it gets under cuntroll ill take you up on that offer so i can tell for the lower levels...right now i just use an API test for phosphates Thanks man!

 

[tommyz44]

So i got my TLF reactor in on Wednesday. Really easy to set up. I also bought the TLF GFO. The GFO is put at the bottom to tumble as usual. but at the top between the lid and the top sponge i added the carbon. So it worked really well setting up. On Wednesday i tested almost .75 phosphate. I kinda got into my groove and did my usual 15% weekly water change and forgot to test before. After i noticed almost no phosphate (the api test was not quite yellow but not enough to be the .25) so not sure if it was the water change of the reactor working im sure it would take longer then that to clean it out. ill keep monitoring and see how things go from there.

Also my KH is at 13 which seems high but my ca has been 420 and mag has been 1360 consistently. Im sure the Phosphate reactor will bring the KH down just a tiny bit. But should i be concerned about the high KH

 

[jmaiello04]

Tommy-

What salt are you using to do water changes? Certain brands may run high in the alkalinity department, but I don't believe they should achieve a reading that high.

Are you dosing anything? If so, simply stop dosing and let the alk lower itself naturally for now.

Personally, I use Salifert to test for my alk. Maybe a false reading?

 

[tommyz44]

I use Instant Ocean reef crystals. I really didnt think to test my R/O water vs my water with the mix. Though we have REALLY hard water so i have my RODI after the softener...possible the softener is out of salt recently as well....No dosing at all params been running stong with no flux or drop. I have not used any other test kits so it could possibly be false reading.
My tank is still fairly new (3 months after post cycle) so im assuming it will decline slightly with time. I havent been to awfully worried since i dont see any issues with any corals. With the addition of the phosban i've seen some studies the GFO will lower it.