Phosphate Sponge Question?

[therock0861]

Will it affect corals and LR?

 

[thomas712]

I have seen it affect leather corals, kinda makes em shrivel sometimes. Phosphguard seems to affect my white finger leather but not my sarchophton leather. Same experience with the Kents phosphate sponge. Still not sure if leathers are affected by the Poly filter by Bio Marine.
Thomas

 

[therock0861]

There are no corals in my tank yet but I was just wondering if it will absorb into the rock or sand and hurt something later. The only thing in the tank as far as animals are an Ocellaris Clown and a BTA.

 

[thomas712]

As far as affecting the rock, well no, but it will feed the algea that will/may attach to the rock, glass, substrate and such. Not so deadly on fish and corals but sure is a good fertilizer for the unwanted algeas.
Thomas

 

[therock0861]

So should I just run it for a couple of days and then remove it? Or just watch the algae growth and remove it when necessary? If it is improving the water quality why would it cause an algae outbreak? Thanks in advance.

 

[the claw]

It killed my yellow polyp colony whe I was using it. They just disappeared. I was wondering what happened, then read in a book how they affect yellow polyps. Sooooo don't but as uninformed as I was.

 

[jim672]

Rock,
When the phosphate sponge absorbs as much phosphate as it can handle, if left in the system, over time, it will leach some of the absorbed phosphate back into the water.
I use Phosguard and leave it in my system up to two weeks, then remove it.
Jim

 

[thomas712]

I think the key here is to test first to find out your phosphate levels then use the PO4 sponge for a couple of days then test again to see if you need to remove or replace exausted PO4 remover. I have used it more than a couple of days in a row as well.
Thomas