phosban reactors

[Imbarrie]

I think the impact is dramatic because you have residual phosphates left over from tank set up. It is leeching out and will linger unless you remove it.

Once phosphate has been removed the only way it can get back in is from what you are putting in the tank. Through food.

I noticed great results when I first installed mine. After it removed all the phosphate and I stopped using it, I have not noticed any decline.
So running it 24/7 all the time may be a waste for a lot of people.

Expect a lot of flamming from that comment :bablefish

 

[Wes]

Only problem is you add phosphate every time you feed. It makes more sense to keep phosphates low buy running it 24/7.

Letting the phosphates build up, then using GFO to bring them down, only to stop and let them build back up again is to "unstable" for my taste.


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[Imbarrie]

So at what ppm are we adding phosphate?

If they are building up, why are they not showing up in tests?

 

[Wes]

So at what ppm are we adding phosphate?

If they are building up, why are they not showing up in tests?

Depends on the food but all foods have it. It's small amounts but adds up over time.

What kind of test? It will only show on a Hannah or similar.

Most Phosphate test kits are worthless.


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[Imbarrie]

I agree, this would be important for some people.

I think this is constantly being used by more people than actually need it.

I dont have a Hanna meter. I use a salifert kit.

 

[LaurieC]

my understanding is that both checkers and test kits are useless for testing phosphates and are a waste of $

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

my understanding is that both checkers and test kits are useless for testing phosphates and are a waste of $

Get this one or the Hanna they bolth work very well. I have been using this one for well over a year.

http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=21652&cat=1424&page=1

 

[NYreefNoob]

vertex reactor, considerably more $ but you can take the whole thing apart for cleaning, worth every penny

 

[Wes]

Get this one or the Hanna they bolth work very well. I have been using this one for well over a year.

http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=21652&cat=1424&page=1

+1


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[Mikei70]

Get this one or the Hanna they bolth work very well. I have been using this one for well over a year.

http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=21652&cat=1424&page=1

I think it's cheaper to just assume my phosphate is high and run the reactor.

 

[Imbarrie]

Ah marine aquariums.

For every question there is a pricey answer.

 

[Mikei70]

You think it's cheaper to spend money? Huh

As far as I know, there's no negative effects from running GFO even if phosphate is low.

Why buy a $160 tester? A TLF reactor is about $40.

 

[Wes]

I think it's cheaper to just assume my phosphate is high and run the reactor.

Good point. I don't use mine much anymore to be honest. A monthly GFO is good preventive maintenance IMO. Bi-monthly if you get some nuisance algae.


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[Drinkmorewater]

how frequently does everyone change their GFO? Can I run this reactor in the same section as my skimmer in the sump?

 

[Imbarrie]

Some people go a month, some two months, some three months. I would not go over three.

The theory I have, after the leeching from the initial setup is diffused then phosphate is entering the system in small amounts through food, then, after the initial batch, the GFO is not getting depleted quickly.
This being accurate, it would be better to run the first batch for a month and then the next batches you could run for longer periods.

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

I think it's cheaper to just assume my phosphate is high and run the reactor.

Even if you assume that how are you going to know how much GFO to use. By testing you will be able to dial in your system. In addition, If your phosphate level is very high your gfo will get used up even faster. Will your corals and glass tell you when your phosphates are high absolutely....but who wants to wait for that...

 

[Mikei70]

Even if you assume that how are you going to know how much GFO to use. By testing you will be able to dial in your system. In addition, If your phosphate level is very high your gfo will get used up even faster. Will your corals and glass tell you when your phosphates are high absolutely....but who wants to wait for that...

I see what you're saying, but in the case of prevention, I think those 'normal' phosphate kits are fine. I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't need to know the exact numerical amount of phosphate in my tank. A color change-type test is fine for my purposes.

This is just my opinion and what works for me.