What Phosphate Media Works Best??????

[sjj80]

I have an algae outbreak that I've always treated in the past with tropical science's phoshpate pads, unfortunately no one locally sells it and I plan on Doing a huge water change and equipment cleaning this weekend. I'd like to know what brand phosphate media has worked the best for you in ridding of algae.

Please do not include phosphate reactors as that's not my thing.

Tank Age 4 months
sg 1.025
AM 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
ph 8.2
Ca 440
dkh 10
Fuge with chaeto - lights on 24/7
ER rs135 skimmer

I'm 99% positive that this is just the initial new tank algae bloom that I always get when starting a new tank and phosphate media has always worked in the past.

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[darkclamz]

kent

 

[sabbath]

Here is some of the info you are looking for!
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php

 

[paulallen]

Poly Filter

 

[sabbath]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12595526#post12595526 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by paulallen
Poly Filter

Really? I used those for a year or so. I changed it when it got tan. My Po4 never dropped below .5ppm.

 

[sjj80]

bump

 

[Peter Eichler]

Read the article that was posted... In general I'd suggest avoiding aluminum oxide such as Kent and a couple other companies and stick with ferric oxide from various companies. There doesn't seem to big a big differnece in the various ferric oxide based medias. In fact many of them are probably from the same source and just have a different label slapped on.

Lastly, why on earth would phosphate reactors not be "your thing". They're simply designed to make the media work more efficiently.

 

[paulallen]

Sabbath you must have had a source of phosphate continually adding more to your system.

 

[RicksReefs]

we all have continual sources of phosphate. food, fish, your hands, etc...

 

[Amoore311]

Phosban or GFO from Bulkreefsupply. Can't go wrong in either case IMO.

 

[mr40G]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12595431#post12595431 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sabbath
Here is some of the info you are looking for!
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php

That is one of the best articles i have read on aquaria chem.
i feel like a phosphate expert.
well not really but i'm well informed now.
thanks for link.

 

[mr40G]

ohh yeah to answer the post, I had a pretty bad hair algea bloom.
using water change with known good water that had no phos in it and some chaeto, with a polyfilter. my algae bloom is just about
gone. my phosphate test kit sux so i dont use it to rely on phos levels.
one day i will get a good low range phos test kit.

 

[sabbath]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12598411#post12598411 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mr40G
ohh yeah to answer the post, I had a pretty bad hair algea bloom.
using water change with known good water that had no phos in it and some chaeto, with a polyfilter. my algae bloom is just about
gone. my phosphate test kit sux so i dont use it to rely on phos levels.
one day i will get a good low range phos test kit.

The hobby test kits do not work very good for us. The algae's are usually using it up before the test kit will see it. Your eyes are a great indicator. If you have Algae, you have too much po4.

 

[sjj80]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12597492#post12597492 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Peter Eichler
Read the article that was posted... In general I'd suggest avoiding aluminum oxide such as Kent and a couple other companies and stick with ferric oxide from various companies. There doesn't seem to big a big differnece in the various ferric oxide based medias. In fact many of them are probably from the same source and just have a different label slapped on.

Lastly, why on earth would phosphate reactors not be "your thing". They're simply designed to make the media work more efficiently.

Thanks for the info. I'll probably end up ordering the tropical science phosphate pads online since they have always worked in the past and are free of aluminium oxide.

The reason I'm not interested in phosphate reactors is because I feel more comfotable just adding the phosphate pads and they have always worked to rid the problem. I also don't have much room for them in my stand and it would be one more piece of equipment to deal with. I am however planning on upgrading my tank to a 180g and if I find one necessary then I'll get one.