Phosban Reactor

[NewbReefer]

I love MarineDepot it's a good thing there store isn't in my area I got my large shipment from them today and i got my TwoLittleFishes Phosban reactor all hooked up gonna test my phosphates right now (last time i checked 5 days ago and it was about 1-1.5 so we'll see how it does.

[McCrary]

Nice, what phosphate media are you using? Remember to keep the flow low through the reactor because when the media fluidizes it can rub and create a dust, so slow is good, mine dribbles out.

[NewbReefer]

yeah i noticed that in the instructions it said you want a low flow rate, im using a maxi jet 1200 which is a bit much so i have the butterfly valve closed quite a bit. i do have a small 80gph pump i may use instead so im not holding the pump back so much. Im using the TwoLittleFishies phosban media. What kind have you been using?

[McCrary]

I am using RowaPhos, which at like $75 a liter is kinda much, I am switching to a generic brand from twopartsolution.com when I run out. I would keep the 1200, you can use it to fluidize carbon in the TLF reactor. I would get in the habit of every month replacing the media and running carbon for 3 days in between the phosban. The carbon will keep your water clear and and the phosban will keep your tank clean.

[Altohombre]

my phosphate reactor has done jack squat in terms of a visual depletion of diatoms and other algae in my tank.

[McCrary]

What media are you using?

[NewbReefer]

how often have you been changing out your phosphate media? I usually place a carbon bag inbetween the baffles where the water falls through it but i will defenitly have to try running it in the reactor for a better effect.

[McCrary]

I have been changing it out at about 4-6 weeks or so, it depends on water changes, feeding and such. But I am using a Hanna photometer to test for phosphates so I can watch to see when the media is used up. Passive (in a bag in the sump) carbon use can contribute to increased nitrate levels if it is left in the sump for a while. In a reactor carbon tends to be used up quickly and after three days should be replaced. You don't want to run carbon a lot though, use it every now and then as an extra.

[NewbReefer]

tested my phosphates yesterday night and it read 1.0 on my salifert test kit. got up this this morning and tested again, it read 0. so far well worth the money, now lets see how the algea reacts to it.

[Reefrookie]

I just picked up the Kent phosphate reactor at ThatFishPlace last night. I will keep everyone up to date on how this one works also.

How much media are you using at a time? the Kent unit says to use one quart of Phosphate Sponge. That seems like a lot to me.