I'm a Phosban Reactor convert!!

[disccollector]

Well, thanks to a lot of advice from folks here, especially benj2112! I got my Phosban reactor on Monday, and after a trip to Home Depot for some black tubing and some PVC elbows I had my Phosban Reactor up and running.
As I was told, it took about 3 gallons to bleed out the brown dust from the Rowaphos and after that I experimented with the Maxijet 400 and the 600 to compare fluidization levels. I ended up doing the 600 because the 400 only fluidized the top 1/3 of the Rowaphos at full blast. With the 600 I have almost 100% fluidization at 1/2 blast. The other good thing is that as the granules pack down I can just give it a couple tweaks on the valve to full blast to break it up.
Anyway, the really awesome thing is that I began with PO4 at 2ppm primarily due to an 8 year old CC/LS bed (that I plan on changing out very soon) but in less than 24 hours my PO4 is DOWN TO .05 PPM!!! I was blown away...for $60 I literally killed my PO4 issue which I've been struggling with for the past year. I've tried the sponges and the Polyfilters and they barely made a dent. Rowaphos just destroyed it :jumping:
Obviously, only being a day into this I can't vouch for long term effects yet but in reading the manual it states that you should expect to change out the media every 3 months and replace the sponges which seem more than reasonable. I may even rinse out the sponges bi-weekly for good measure.
Anyway, the Salifert test doesn't lie...this reactor really works..highest recommendation :joy:

 

[sandman12]

Any pics? where did u get urs from?

 

[robchuck]

That's a pretty rapid change in phosphates. Keep an eye on your corals to make sure they don't react adversely to the change.

 

[escape2thewater]

Ive never heard of one but it sounds interesting. So give us some mor details please! Pics? How does it work?
Thanks,
KYle
:happyfish

 

[jauringer]

I completly agree with RobChuck. That is a very fast drop.
Another thing to keep in mind. That stuff breaks up really easy. in a reactor. it needs to be very gently fluidized. more of a "rolling" of the top layer.

 

[disccollector]

Yes, I agree...that drop is huge but I've not seen any adverse reactions in my corals that I can tell. In fact, the polyps are far more opened then I've seen before. Honestly, I never thought the drop would be that fast
I will take some pics later today and post them later for those requesting pics.
The most I can say without violating policy is that it's the Phosban 150 Reactor using Rowaphos. Total price, with 500ml of Rowaphos is around $60 and this can be found at all of the top name reef stores. Just do some searches google and you'll find it no problem.
For those that asked for more details, the unit is very simple and is nothing more than a plastic cylindrical container with a cap on top that has an input and output

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. The input

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receives water from a standard powerhead and pushes the water down a shaft in the center of the cylinder. The water then leaves the shaft at the bottom and flows back up through the chamber and out the output

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. The Rowaphos material is loaded into the chamber and the water passes through it on its way out the top

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. Because the material is light, it actually whirls and swirls constantly in the chamber and the entire surface of every granule of Rowaphos is used for phosphate absorption. The problem that many point out that the power of the flow of water is critical to success. Too powerful of a flow causes the Rowaphos material to exit through the top

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and into your tank...too little flow doesn't swirl the media enough to get a full benefit and results in clumping of the material and reduced efficiency. I found that with the MaxiJet 600 I have more flow than I need but the ball valve that comes with the unit easily enables you to adjust the flow down.
I'll post some pics tonight for those that asked

 

[zanemoseley]

I'd watch how much you have it fluidized because you will get the particles in your tank/sump. Also the sponge on the top will get clogged quickly.

 

[disccollector]

Yeah, I played with the valve until I got almost 90% churn and no micro-particles going up to the sponge. The sponge has a light dusting on it that I plan to rinse probably this weekend...most of it is from the initial setup.

 

[leishman]

Many people have lost lots of their SPS to this rapid depletion of PO4. SPS need at least .15 according to the new TUNZE PO4 removal media to live. I just converted mine to a carbon bed as in just a month I have lost 3 SPS and have several bleaching right now.
I think these things work if you start SLOW, with very LITTLE media. All living things need PO4 and if you take it away too quickly you will send the system into shock.
There ar many very detailed PO4 threads in the SPS forum on --. Some of the best SPS tanks in the country are hurting due to this ROWA/Phosban craze. There are 2 local reefers by me who have amazing tanks that are hurting right now due to this.
Please read up on this and GO SLOW.
Just my 2 cents

 

[disccollector]

Thanks Leishman...good to know! I felt like the overriding theme I've been reading about healthy tanks was that PO4 should be as close to zero as possible for maxium growth. Fortunately, I do not yet have SPS's because I felt I needed to get my water quality in check before I moved to the next level...right now I just have shrooms and leathers and zoos.
I think that my PO4 was arguably more detrimental at 2ppm but you're right...I probably underestimated the ability of the media. On the Rowa instructions they state that the amount I put in my chamber would reduce only by 1ppm but they never stated how long it would take. Clearly I dropped much more than that and although I was happy that it dropped I was also worried that any massive change, regardless whether negative or positive would stress the tank. Luckily, everything is looking just fine.
I will certainly heed your advice and keep that in mind as I am planning to upgrade to MH's and SPS's in the coming months.

 

[leishman]

Start here and read on... All looks good at the begining, then one by one people start saying they are losing SPS....PO4 Thread
Good luck w/ the SPS conversion..
Rik

 

[disccollector]

Cool thanks Rik...honestly, I was following Steve Weast's recommendation on low PO4 levels being the source of slow coral growth because his tank is so amazing...granted, my wimpy 75 gallon is not really even on the same planet for comparison purposes but I figured Steve had it nailed down.
Thanks...I'll read all of this.

 

[benj2112]

I wonder how long Steve Weast has been running Rowaphos?
His mention of it in another post about phosphate is what got me into this stuff (can only strive for a tank like his). Everything seems to be going fine right now in my tank (3 months and counting using the stuff)...but I never had any issue with phosphate to begin with. I just like the fact that any and all nuisance algae are gone and that I only clean my glass about once every two weeks now.

 

[steveweast]

I've been running Rowa since March with no SPS losses and only a slowly declining algae population. I have been watching those threads with folks who are attributing their losses to Rowa. It is a mystery that some folks have problems.... and others don't.
It is prudent to go slowly and watch for any negative reaction....as it is with the addition of anything new.
I can only relate my conditions....I started Rowa to combat a constant imput of phosphate generated through the 40 or so fish that I have. The Rowa has stopped a constant, nagging algae problem that was resulting from my bioload. My corals have only improved during this Rowa use period. I do not dispute those having problems....I can only see the positive results in my particular situation and will continue its use. My phosphate level is about .02ppm (on a high quality Merck test kit).... ocean levels for total P averages .06ppm.....but, our test kits only measure orthophosphate...so, I figure my levels are now similar to ocean levels or maybe slightly high..
Perhaps those folks having problems changed their parameters too fast...or maybe, if they are limiting their phosphate imput by not having a lot of pooping fish, their tank phosphate level is getting way below natural levels....who knows?....but, I do know that I'm watching the situation closely.

 

[benj2112]

Thanks for the input Steve...as usual...good common sense advice.
Can't wait for that website...:jumping:

 

[leishman]

Steve knows more than me, his tank is the best I've seen! Steve, you got that test kit from me through --, hope it's working out well for you.
Rik

 

[robchuck]

Disccollector,
I followed this post when it originally went up, and I'm curious to know how the Phosban reactor and ROWA is working for you.