Vortex Diatom Filter and Phosphates

[jeryl]

I have been using a Vortex filter with the diatom filter material and carbon on my fresh water tanks for many years. Is there any reason this cannot also be used on my salt water reef tank. If it can be used, does anyone have a suggestion for any phosphate removal media that I might add to the filter.

I feed the tank very heavily to ensure my two mandarin dragonets receive enough to eat. They have been happy and healthy for over one year now but this causes the high phosphate level. Based on last nights testing, all other water chemistry parameters are in their acceptable ranges.

 

[pedromatic]

I've been using Blue Life Phosphate Control lately. It's easy to use and effective. Not quite as effective as advertised, but it does bring phosphates down quickly (within 24 hours). Just a few drops, no need to use it in a reactor.

 

[Sk8r]

A diatom filter will strip a tank of swimming life as well as particulates, and that will take pods out, if they're up and about. However we used to use them to clean the sand bed---just stir a section up and run the DF until the water is sparkling clean: throws tank chemistry for a loop, but otherwise we got out of it alive. I tend to recommend them for emergencies, not standard use: they clog too fast.

 

[bawla47]

im not positive, but wont it strip the water of elements as well?