Who uses a Phosban Reactor?

[greenfroggiespawn]

thanks currently are there any deals as to where is a cheap place to buy media?

are silicate remover effecient?

 

[Peter Eichler]

I've been taking as little break from the hobby (got my new tank tonight ). I was a bit shocked to see how many people are using phosphate removers considering I thought at first Rowaphos and Phosban were aluminum oxide. So, are there any negatives associated with the iron oxide products?

 

[outy]

keep an eye on your alk when you fisrt start up thats the only negative i can think

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7822882#post7822882 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Peter Eichler
I've been taking as little break from the hobby (got my new tank tonight ). I was a bit shocked to see how many people are using phosphate removers considering I thought at first Rowaphos and Phosban were aluminum oxide. So, are there any negatives associated with the iron oxide products?

Phosban and Rowaphos are GFO (Granular Ferric Oxide). Kent's Phosphate Sponge is Aluminum-based. Aluminum-based phosphate removers affect leathers adversely, based on my own experiences as well as documentation by Randy Holmes Farley (our resident chemist). GFO doesn't affect leathers at all, which is why many of us use them.

 

[Peter Eichler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7823077#post7823077 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Phosban and Rowaphos are GFO (Granular Ferric Oxide). Kent's Phosphate Sponge is Aluminum-based. Aluminum-based phosphate removers affect leathers adversely, based on my own experiences as well as documentation by Randy Holmes Farley (our resident chemist). GFO doesn't affect leathers at all, which is why many of us use them.

Thanks for the help. I know the negative impact aluminum oxide can have which is why I was shocked at first to see so many people using phosphate removers. Ferric oxide is iron oxide by the way.

Has there been any explanation as to why it has an impact on alkalinity levels?

 

[melev]

I'm sure RHF has an article about it. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.php

 

[Neptune777]

I love the Phosban reactor! I am going to purchase another to run carbon on a regular basis as well!

 

[phishlet]

Just set up a Phosban reactor using Two Little Fishies Phosban. The instructions say not to use it with less than 130 grams and not more than 200 grams. One container of Phosban is 150 grams.

So is it OK to put the whole container in the reactor for a 125 reef? I've read in this thread how people recommend "half dosage".

 

[jdieck]

You may want to start at half the dosage and ramp up as the phosphate level drops to prevent shocking the system.

 

[melev]

Just put in 1" of media. I know some people that run 3 teaspoons on their system, so as not to shock the reef. Using lots of media rarely benefits anything, ime. Better to use a lesser amount, and change it a little more often.

Remember, when you turn it on, test the 'effluent' for phosphate. It should read 0 coming out of the reactor. If it is higher than 0, slow the rate down even further. It should read 0. Then in a week or two, if the level rises, either slow the rate down more or replace the media with fresh.

 

[phishlet]

Ok. I have a little over an inch; probably 1.5 inches or so in the chamber. The effluent is very slow. I have it set so there is just the slightest hint of the top of the phosban moving. Sound about right?

 

[MJAnderson]

Phishlet,

That's about right.

 

[phishlet]

Thanks!