I
iluvfish
Guest
Just bought a Kent Marine phos sponge. It is a 1 quart jar. I have a 55 gal tank. How much of this should I use at one time? Also - has anyone tried the renewal directions?
jauringer
Member
that is not a very good phosphate sponge. it can leach aluminium into the tank. there are much better sponges on the market (Marc Weiss, Rowphas, salferit) If you feel like you have to use the Kent. you can start with 1/2 cup or so. You can only leave that stuff in your tank for about 12 hours before you have to replace. I have never tried to renew it.
I
iluvfish
Guest
Really? I thought that Kent Marine was one of the recommended brands. It doesn't have ingredients on the can itself. How do I know if it has aluminum in it? The instructions say I can leave it in the tank up to 2 days.:help:
jauringer
Member
iluvfish
unfortunatly, kent is not one of the recomended brands. The only good sponges are iron base, and kent is not one of those. Yeah, the instructions say up to two day (max). I wouldn't push with that kind of PO4 sponge. There is a time limit on it because it leaches. An iron based sponge can be put in the system and left there. Mine has been in there going on 2 months and It will typicaly last 6 before I have to change it.
unfortunatly, kent is not one of the recomended brands. The only good sponges are iron base, and kent is not one of those. Yeah, the instructions say up to two day (max). I wouldn't push with that kind of PO4 sponge. There is a time limit on it because it leaches. An iron based sponge can be put in the system and left there. Mine has been in there going on 2 months and It will typicaly last 6 before I have to change it.
nm reef
Active Member
I've used the Kent product for a couple of years...and sadly I agree with the comments posted. I will soon switch to rowaphos...but in all honesty I've never had much of a problem with the Kent product. I place it in a filter bag and locate it in a high flow area for about 24-48 hours. My phosphates have always been non-detectable(I use it more as a preventative than any thing else) and I've never had any problems associated with running the product. But...as mentioned there are better and safer products available.If the Kent product is used just insure it is not kept in the system for more than 48 hrs max...it can rapidly leach back into the system past that point.:thinking:
I
iluvfish
Guest
NMReef - how often did you have do add another dose. I have found the problem causing my phosphates - it is my RO water. I bought some distilled for my top off - zero phos. So if I can find somewhere that will sell me distilled until I can afford my own system, that's what I will plan on.
That phos sponge is really amazing stuff - after 10 hours - maybe a 0.1 trace of phos. When I take it out, will it maintain the low phos until I do a water change with the RO??
Sadly now, it cost me 58 cents a gal. I can't afford a water change like that.:nope:
That phos sponge is really amazing stuff - after 10 hours - maybe a 0.1 trace of phos. When I take it out, will it maintain the low phos until I do a water change with the RO??
Sadly now, it cost me 58 cents a gal. I can't afford a water change like that.:nope:
nm reef
Active Member
I usually run the phosphate sponge once every 4-5 weeks for a short period. Using the sponge and insuring a quality water source combined with limited feeding allows my phosphates to remain non-detectable. I'm surprised you are getting phosphates from your RO water...I frequently test my RO water and it has never shown phosphates.:thinking:
I
iluvfish
Guest
Yep - the phos level in my RO is almost 2!! When it is mixed, my tank shows a 1. Still way too high! Thanks for the help all!!
