Phosband Media bag with or without activated carbon?

hey guys,
I have been trying to lower my phosphate levels which were through the roof some time ago with PHOSBAND adsorption media.. It's been a little over a month now and I'm starting to see lower levels of phosphates but my levels are still not where they should be. I been doing 10% water changes weekly and adding calcium in effort to get some coralline algae but I noticed now that the water is starting to smell a bit (nothing out of this world) but a little odor. Can I use 2 media bags? One with the activated carbon to remove odor and the PHOSBAND Media to lower the phosphates? I know that when we medicate we remove the carbon is this the same case with this??

I'm working on getting a good RODI unit but at this point I'm still using tap with conditioner.. I know that as long as I use tap I'm going to have a problem with phosphates.

 

I have to bags in my tank one with cardon and one with phosban

 

Allsmilze

I always run both as they do different things and the carbon does not interefere with the work of the Phosban if thats what you where concerned about

all GFO materials have a saturation capacity after which they cannot absorb any more P04 once you notice your levels are no longer declining or worse , they are increasing thats the time to replace the media

also I react to the conditions in my tank, if my glass for example needs an extra sweep with the magnet in any one week, that prompts me into throwing away and replacing the GFO at the next weekends water change irrespective of what my Salifert test kit reveals when water is tested

Steve

 

Thank you! I wasn't using the carbon thinking that it would interfere... but now I will put to bags in until i decide to switch to the phosphate reactor.. thank you