What's the word on phosphate sponges? Yea or nay?

[hairtrigger]

Yup, I think no matter what I do, RO/DI, tap, you name it, I always come out with a little phosphate. I know I do, because I test for them. They aren't that high, but not where I want them. Sooooo, I was thinking about trying a phosphate sponge. But, I know nada about them. So, please, drop some science on me. Thanks yall.

 

[bang guy]

I only have a problem with the ones containing Aluminum as a binding agent. The rest I consider 'unknown'. If you go that route, please reply back with your results so we can learn from them.

 

[plum70rt]

HT, Do you use a skimmer?, I use a product called Phosphate Eliminator by Salifert, works real well, Phosphates are skimmed out by your skimmer, Even the best RO/DI units leave traces of phosphates,

 

[jim672]

HT,
I agree with you. I use RO/DI water, run a skimmer, don't overfeed.....and every few months, like clockwork, my Phosphates are higher than I want them. I can actually tell without testing, although I do, by how fast the algea grows on my glass.
At those times I use a sponge called Phosguard (I can't remember the manufacturer,but if you want I can check when I get home and post again). I fill a mesh bag with this stuff, and just drop it in my tank behind some rock and in front of a powerhead. A week later, no more phosphate.
Jim

 

[hairtrigger]

Bang, that's interesting. If I try something like that I will definitely post my observations. I am kind of interested in the stuff plum is talking about.
Plum, yes I sure do run a skimmer. It's a Berlin, in the sump. One of the big ones, with a 500 gallon an hour pump. I am really curious about this stuff by salifert. The ceramic version by Kent, that you put in a mesh bag in the water flow sounds bothersome. The Salifert stuff seems like it would be really easy. What can you tell us about it?
Thanks yall!

 

[plum70rt]

I Can tell you it works well, Salifert products are made in holland, their site is down, on the bottle it is stated,
Ingredients: phosphate binders, ?
a little Vaige, add 5ml to every 25 gallons once a week,
and phosphates are nill and this is true,

 

[hairtrigger]

Jim, yeah, I would love to hear more about it when you get home. I would definitely appreciate that. I'm trying to get as much info and testimony as possible before I try something. Thanks!

 

[hairtrigger]

Plum, tell me if the site gets up and running. I'd like to check it out. But, if it works that well for you, it sounds like a possibility for me. I think one that skims out or is low maintanance would be perfect.

 

[jim672]

HT,
The stuff I use is PhosGuard by Seachem. I by it in 2 liter containers and that will treat 600 gallons of sw. Last time I bought it I paid $26 for the 2L.
It says it removes phosphates and silicates! I didn't know about the silicate removal. I examined the container carefully and couldn't find any details about the product's chemistry. I also went on Seachem's web site and there's no chemical info there either.
All I can tell you is I've been using it for about 2 years. I started because I had a terrible phosphate/algea problem. It reduced my phosphates, it's easy to use, and it's not horribly expensive.
Jim

 

[hairtrigger]

Cool. Thanks yall, I am going to hit up the LFS today after work to see what I can find. Do you add this stuff before or after water changes, or during, or both? Hmmmmmmmm.

 

[jim672]

PhosGuard can be added at any time. It actually can be taken out after a short period, dried, and re-used at a later time. It will not, BTW, leach the phosphate or Silicates back into the water column, even if it's "full".
I just leave mine in for a week, test and remove it.
Jeez, I sound like a commercial for the stuff!! Sorry.
Jim

 

[barracuda]

I also use seachem's Phosguard. It works great when PO4 levels are high. Now i have 0.2ppm and using the same thing i cannot bring them down to 0.

 

[reef fool]

Hey Hairtrigger,
Check out this stuff. When I was battling phosphates a couple month ago, I did alot of research on different products and this is what I ended up using with great results!
http://www.deltecaquariumsolutions.com/rowa_1.php
Also, do a search on Yahoo for Rowaphos.
IMO...Hands down, it is the safest product out there and works unbelievably well and fast too.