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Bryguy514 
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 Topic: What filter media do you use?
Posted: November 30 2009 at 1:27pm |
I am having a high phosphate problem and I am pretty sure it is from me over feeding. So I have stopped feeding, changed out my carbon, changed lights since they are way over due, and will be doing a pretty large water change later this evening. But I noticed a product called phosgaurd and was curious about this product and was wondering what other filter media is out there that could promote my tank to do better. So what type of filter media do you run on your tanks?
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Adam Blundell
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Posted: November 30 2009 at 1:37pm |
I run a bag of phosguard in my filter sock. I don't change it anywhere near often enough. Live every 4 months or so. I don't see any reason not to run it.
Adam
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Bryguy514
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Posted: November 30 2009 at 1:48pm |
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I was thinking of running it in a reactor I have been neglecting my tank for a couple months.
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snoyce
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Posted: November 30 2009 at 2:14pm |
I run a reactor from bulkreefsupply and use their GFO Pellets. seems to work for me and I can keep feeding/overfeeding my fish without a phosphate problem.
I to probably don't change it enough, about every 3 months when I notice the red hair alge starting to ramp up in my fuge
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Scott Noyce
90G reef ready AGA display
basment 20G sump, 29G fuge
4x54 watt T5 retro SLR
Octopus NW150
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kellerexpress
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Posted: December 01 2009 at 1:11am |
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I use phosban in a reactor.
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IM 30L
Kessil A160we x2
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: December 01 2009 at 9:16am |
AC does not remove Phosphate (PO4)
Overfeeding is not the reason for high PO4
How old is the tank  What is the PO4 level What makes up the current filtration
A reactor is not needed and in fact is slower than PO4 remover placed in a media bag/filter sock and draped over or placed next to the return pump intake screen or other high flow area. The media bag can be made of Bridal Veil material purchased for pennies at the fabric store. PO4 media, if it is the white stuff (Activated Alumina), will turn tan or even dark tan when it is fully loaded. If it has not turned color there is no need to replace it. If it has been in the system for more than a month and has not turned color then the system did not need it in the first place.
Can you post a pic of the tank Sometimes I notice people worrying about a problem that isn't really a problem when considering the way the tank is actually growing/looking. Are there algae problems or is any coral growing too slow
The way to naturally and safely reduce PO4 is to ramp up the refugium lighting to grow more algae and then harvest that algae more often.
I know I have asked a lot of questions, but your answers will lead us to being able to give the best solutions for your reef aquarium. 
Edited by Mark Peterson - December 01 2009 at 9:21am
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jpiotrowski
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Posted: December 01 2009 at 11:23am |
I bought a small canister filter from fish 4 u. I can place it on any of my tanks and starter up. Whenever I notice my corals looking sad I test for phosphate an it is usually through the roof...and I use RO water exclusively. With this very small unit on my tank within a week of running through a phosphate sponge/carbon mix the phosphate is gone.
Incidently, carbon is for any background nasties that may be present.
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downhill_biker
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Posted: December 01 2009 at 2:47pm |
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Mark, maybe I am wrong, but I thought PO4 was a direct result in feeding...thus overfeeding creates more phosphates.
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Make sure you post your best pictures every month in our POTM forum.
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jpiotrowski
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Posted: December 01 2009 at 3:00pm |
I think it should read 'over feeding may not be the main cause'.
It also depends on the water you use.
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oskrcg
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Posted: December 01 2009 at 3:33pm |
I only use chemi-pure elite, it has done a  job for me
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I'm new in salt water aquariums
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Bryguy514
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Posted: December 01 2009 at 4:14pm |
Well I think I found my problem and like Mark said it may not be the overfeeding. My RO system needed to be changed. I do run refugium lights for 14 hours with cheato. We will see what that does. Also I was wondering does old bulbs lead to an algea bloom in the display tank? This is what happens when you get to busy to take care of your tank. 
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jpiotrowski
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Posted: December 01 2009 at 6:38pm |
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Yes. old bulbs can cause algae blooms...can't remember why or the article(s) I have read about it...sorry
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: December 06 2009 at 7:00pm |
What I meant is that overfeeding is bad for several reasons but that high PO4 should not be blamed on feeding. As a matter of fact, like Downhill_biker said, all feeding adds phosphates. Feeding also adds ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and sulfates. Those components together contribute to algae growth.
It would help us to help you if we knew the answers to the questions previously asked and to see a pic. What is the actual problem you are trying to correct Is it an algae bloom If so then reducing PO4 may be only part of, or it may be none of the answer. We cannot tell. We don't have much to go on.
I agree with JPiotrowski, the need to change filters in the RO unit is not the main cause of high PO4. There are two parts to an RO system. The prefilters and the membrane. Which is it that needs changing How do you know What is the TDS
Old bulbs do not directly lead to algae blooms. Old bulbs are the result of and the indicator of the neglect that leads to algae blooms. Neglecting to replenish the snail population and/or to replace a missing herbivorous fish allows algae to bloom unnoticed and unchecked.
Edited by Mark Peterson - December 07 2009 at 5:17am
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