RowaPhos lowers Ph

D

dufferdan

New member
I hooked up my new Phosban reactor with Rowaphos (250ml) and since then my Ph has dropped down to 7.95. I cant' seem to get it higher. I have added as much buffer as I dare (Ph 8.2 buffer).
My Alk is at 8.6dkh, Ca 410, Mag 1350, Spg 1.206. The only thing off is Ph.
Has anyone else experienced this effect using Rowaphos?
 
Yes, that happened to me too. But in my case it also dropped alk about 4 dkh. My Ph went from 8.2 to 7.8. Turns out I used too much at one time. Read and re-read those directions. This is very potent stuff. I think 250ml is too much at one time for a 20 gal. :)
 
The reactor instruction state that the minimum amount of media to use is 250ml.
Should I only run the reactor part time?
or will it work with less media?
 
There should be no recommended minimum, IMO, unless the reactor itself cannot operate with a small amount. I'd always start with a low amount and ramp up as needed. If the reactor can't handle that, then perhaps running part of the time, but the concern is the stagnation of wtaer in it when not operating.

Has the phosphate dropped? The pH effect may be largely over and done with.
 
Thanks Randy,
The instructions give a minimum, so thats what I did. Next time I will try and run it with less to see how the reactor runs with less media.
For now, I turned off the reactor and put it on a timer to run only when my lights come on. I also hooked up a kalk drip combined with my auto top off water. So each time it switches on the tank gets a shot of fresh water and a little squirt of kalk. The Kalk bottle is hooked up to a aqualifter pump.
The stagnation of the water in the reactor would only be for 16hrs. What is your concern about this exactly? The reactor sits idle about 1/2 to 1/3 full of water and media. What will happen to the stagnate water?
Do you think then that the Ph effect is temporary, or will the Rowaphos continue to lower Ph as long as it is used?
 
The reactor or the media gave a minimum?

The stagnation of the water in the reactor would only be for 16hrs. What is your concern about this exactly?

Potential production of hydrogen sulfide as bacteria in the system consume organics in the water, reduce the O2 and nitrate, and then begin to reduce sulfate. I'm not sure how long that typically takes, but may take less and less time if you do it every day and anaerobic bacteria start to build up.

My expectation is that the pH effect is temporary, as long as you maintain alkalinity. :)
 
The reactor (two little fishes Phosban reactor) instructions said to use 250ml minimum.

So to be clear, you think I should not run the reactor part time?
Wouldn't my protein skimmer replenish the O2 fast enough when the reactor turns on and the stagnate water flows back into the system?
And reducing nitrates would be a good thing wouldn't it?

If the effect is temporary, maybe tonight I let it run all day and check the effect on Ph and see if it is stable now. I have had to add a lot of Alk since starting it, trying to keep Ph up. But I was beginning to worry that it might start a Ca snow storm if I kept adding it.
 
The concern is not low O2, but the hydrogen sulfide, which is very toxic.

I don't know what happens in the reactor with less media. I prefer to use a cannister filter that doesn't mix the media around, potentially breaking it apart.
 
Thanks Randy,

I'll reply with the results. I hope you are right about the Ph stabalizing. Then I won't need to worry about anything except reducing phosphate too low.

Cheers
 
Update,
the last day my Ph has stayed a little low 7.8 - 8.0. This morning Ph was 7.8 with lights still out (only fuge light on). My Alk is really high from adding it to bump up my Ph 15dKh, about twice as high as it should be.
I not going to mess with anything for the next couple days. Some corals are looking stressed I think from all the fluxuations in Ph and Alk.
Water change is sch for Sat.
 
One of the online Two Little Fishes reactor instructions and descriptions I found does refer to a minimum of 150ml of media for the Phosban Reactor 150. I don't know if your reference to 250 is a typo, bad information that I found, or you have a larger reactor (which I haven't seen).

The big problem is that the Phosban instructions are to use 150ml for 150 gallons. (There are a variety of recommendations between manufacturers)

As others have pointed out, 250ml is way too much for the 20gal tank mentioned in your signature.

My 2-cents is that it looks like your reactor is not appropriate for your tank size.

But, don't run out and get rid of it just yet. You could consider getting a mesh bag for the Phosban and another for some charcoal and putting both in your reactor. This does run the risk of a known possibility - the media forming a firm block.

Another option might be to use 20ml of media and turn the flow way down.

Paul
 
Dont see the reason for the 150 minimum. I run 85 ml of Rowa, and it works fine. I actually run (2) TLF 150 in series. 1st one is carbon, 2nd, Rowa.

MJ400->flow valve->TLF1 carbon->TLF2 Rowa->output

I have it so the Rowa just dances a bit on the surface. Particles dont go anywhere near the top of the reactor (not visible anyways) I also rubber banded the media bag that comes with the Rowa to the end of the output hose.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6536495#post6536495 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
Dont see the reason for the 150 minimum. I run 85 ml of Rowa, and it works fine. I actually run (2) TLF 150 in series. 1st one is carbon, 2nd, Rowa.

...
Click to expand...

I agree with you. The key is the flow rate.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Dosing All for Reef Questions
Replies
6
Views
202
Somethinchill
S
JustSalty
Are Sabal Palm branches Safe? (Needing to lower PH) Freshwater
Replies
7
Views
182
JustSalty
JustSalty
R
How to simplify my dosing?
Replies
1
Views
330
Vinny Kreyling
Vinny Kreyling
MrineLfRlz
Ok to run a calcium reactor and dose kalk. for ph control?
Replies
4
Views
180
griss
griss
JustinGr
PH Issues
Replies
14
Views
900
Jposch
J
Back
Top