seachem phosguard

[baby1-]

does any body or has anybody used this product in a reactor?

 

[deezmarine]

dont do it, it will break down the media and release it back into your tank

 

[chuckreef]

I do. No problems.

 

[JMartin104]

Hmmm. I just picked some up to put into my reactor. The directions state to "place in a filter media bag...". Now I'm curious.

 

[chuckreef]

I think the instructions were written long before reactors became common.
The phosguard does not need to tumble.
I often put about half a cup of carbon on top of it to catch any unrinsed dusts.

 

[baby1-]

so i should rinse the phos guard and put it inthe reactor with a half a cup of carbon on top ?

 

[JMartin104]

so i should rinse the phos guard and put it inthe reactor with a half a cup of carbon on top ?

Per instructions, it should be rinsed first.

 

[baby1-]

do you put the carbon directly on top of the phosguard or divide the 2 with foam?

 

[JMartin104]

do you put the carbon directly on top of the phosguard or divide the 2 with foam?

Never done it, but it's been suggested that 1) keep a separate reactor for carbon and phosban and/or 2) I've seen carbon on the bottom (so it won't tumble), separated by foam and phosban on top. I'm thinking about running mine that way. Option 1 is probably the best approach, but I'm not sure what the negatives would be for option 2.

 

[gweston]

I've used it in a bag in the sump and it seemed to work ok. Rinse well before use though.

 

[baby1-]

so its better in "the bag" than in a reactor? so then why did they invent phosphate reactors?

 

[Korrine]

Reactors are definitely better. Lot more water contact with the media. Bags are a cheap other resort.

By the way, I am going to buy a dual reactor from Bulk Reef Supply when I start setting up my 75 in a couple months.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/dual-brs-gfo-and-carbon-reactor.html

 

[falconut]

The possible issue is the release of aluminum into the water column. This supposedly can irritate soft corals. I was going to try it, but reading this is what made me go with GFO instead. No first hand experience, just researched it on the chemistry forum.

 

[imnotanerd]

I've always used phosguard i like it more than GFO seems easier to deal with. Any type of media in a reactor you have to be careful with how much water you pass through it but i think reactors are the way to go.

 

[allsps40]

+1 on the reactor.

 

[chuckreef]

so its better in "the bag" than in a reactor? so then why did they invent phosphate reactors?

The reactors were develped for GFO use. The aluminum and ceramic based PO4 removers were around & used before GFO became common. It is no better or no worse in a bag or in a reactor, just make sure the water flows through the bag if you use one.

 

[chuckreef]

do you put the carbon directly on top of the phosguard or divide the 2 with foam?

I put it directly on top. Seachem also sells a mixture of carbon and phosguard. There is no problem with the two being in contact with one another. GFO needs higher flow rates than Phosguard; the GFO needs to "tumble" a little to work best. It actually does not need to move much, but it needs water all around the particles' surfaces to work best. Carbon and Phosguard actualy work well (better) at lower flow rates.