Phosphate Remover Question

My Phosphates registered at .1 ppm last night and I'm starting to get some algae growth so I figured I'd be proactive about it.

After looking at some brands, I think I'm going for Kent Marine Phosphate Sponge. It's cheap and looks like it does a quick job. However I heard that the silver looking removers are aluminum based and could hurt some types of corals. I have a clover polyp and some zoas in my tank. Would either of these react badly to that phosphate remover? Any recommendations on a better product?

2nd question, can I just stick this in a sump sock, run it for 24 hours or so, then take it out and it will that do the job? I also have a canister filter I could stick it in, but rather not set that up.

 

There are all sorts of phosphate remover media that are flooding the market. For the most part they all perform well. It may require a trial and error process to determine what product is best for your tank since every tank is different.
Having said this you may want to determine the underlying reason for elevated phosphate levels in your water. You will not be able to remove all phosphates, and realistically, their is no reason to do so since phosphates provide nutrient for cells. Combining this with the fact that their are two forms of phosphate(inorganic-orthophosphate and organic) with most test kits not testing for the organic form.

 

Using your canister will be much more effective than using a sock. Granulated ferric oxide works better, lasts longer, doesn't give off heat when it contacts water and is potentially less toxic.

 

i use a media pad thats impregnated with a phosphate remover and i just cut it to size and keep it in my overflow...change it once a week and phosphates have been undetectable

 

0.01 or .1?

 

I'd be curious to see what most people use to keep phosphates down.

Right now I use RowaPhos in a TLF reactor.

 

I just switched from GFO to EcoBak from Warner Marine. EcoBak is brand new on the market. There are a few threads here on 3reef where folks have tested it with good success. You might look into that.

My use of it is simply too new to tell, but my research led me to be willing to give it a try. GFO was fine, it worked well. EcoBak, I felt, had additional advantages so I chose to try it.

M

 

I use RowaPhos in a Two Little Fishes reactor, kind of pricey but the reviews are better than the rest.
Plus one container gives you many changes in your reactor. My phosphates went to zero in less than 24 hours.

 

I use Two Little Fishies Phosban Reactor 150 with NP Biopellets Filter Media. The output from the reactor is fed back to the chamber of the protein skimmer for the oxygen enriched water needed for disbursement. I used this on my 75 and moved it over when I upgraded to the 150. Both Phosphates and Nitrates have always been at 0. On the plus side, there are no media changes to deal with. As the media works, it is consumed. When needed, you add more. I'm sold on this method.

I'm not vested in the company in any way, so this is not a sales pitch. Just a member who is happy with the product. Here's a link to a site with more information if you are interested:
NP Reducing BioPellets a D. van Houten (Import) product - Home

 

These and EcoBak appear to be the same thing... different companies.

M