phosphate sponge?
- Thread starter aileena
- Start date
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Originally posted by aileena
How do you use this item? I do not have a sump or a refugium. All I have is a hang on skimmer three powerheads and a penguin 330 with bio wheels...
So how should I install this?
in a word no.
much better to use plant life (macro algae or marine plants) to control phosphates
herkemer
Member
Buy a sock at your LFS and put it behind some rock where your powerhead will hot it. That's what I did and it seemed to work just fine. Also make sure you check your water that you buy. out LFS got lazy about changing their filters and some water we got from them tested 10 ppm for nitrates and phosphate.
the claw
Active Member
For the first time in my life, I agree with beaslbob. Ditch it, and try macro as an alternative, or eliminate the origin of the excess phosphates in the first place. If you do go with it, I had problems with it killing my yellow polyps. They just vanished, and they were doing great. I then read in Borneman that this happens with some phosphate removers. Good Luck.
nm reef
Active Member
What type of phosphate sponge are you intending to use. If it is a loose material such as Kents or Seachems products you could purchase a small micron filter bag and put some of the material in there. Then hang/suspend it inside your mechanical filter. The idea is to locate the phosphate sponge in a relatively high flow area but isolated from direct contact with fish/corals. I use the same type bags to suspend carbon and/or phosphate sponge material in my sump. I would caution you to limit the time the sponge remains in your system...once saturated it tends to leach phosphates back into your system. I run mine for about 48 hrs once a month.
It is true that macros can absorb phosphates...actually locking them up but they can be relaesed back into the system if the macros are not harvested and discarded. The best solution is to prevent excessive phosphates from entering the system via limited feedings and quality water source.
nmreef@cox.net
It is true that macros can absorb phosphates...actually locking them up but they can be relaesed back into the system if the macros are not harvested and discarded. The best solution is to prevent excessive phosphates from entering the system via limited feedings and quality water source.
nmreef@cox.net
reef fool
Active Member
I agree that macro is the best long term answer, but if you must use a phosphate absorbant, I highly recommend ROWAPhos. Do a search, you'll find it.
The good thing about ROWAPhos is that it won't leach back the bad stuff when exausted. A few others work the same(I believe they are Iron based), but the Aluminum based products can do more harm than good if not monitored closely.
The good thing about ROWAPhos is that it won't leach back the bad stuff when exausted. A few others work the same(I believe they are Iron based), but the Aluminum based products can do more harm than good if not monitored closely.