Phosphate control

[untamed]

Interesting poll results. I use Rowaphos in the Phosban reactor. I decided that RowaPhos is too expensive to just throw away at regular intervals, so I decided to invest in the Phosphate low range photometre. I figured the phosphate level would tell me when I needed to replace the Rowaphos.

Since the day I purchased it, I have yet to detect anything but trace amount of phosphate. That could be because the Rowa is working really well..for a really long time...or because phosphate is being absorbed by the tank algae.

I don't know...but I know that I don't have a measurable phosphate problem.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

PHOSaR by Warner Marine. Apparently it's better, according to Randy Holmes-Farley. I think.

Anyway, it's the same price so why the heck not?

[Matt]

I like the idea that opti-phos can be regenerated (in the reactor, even), so I'm thinking of that. I see products around like Caribsea Phos-Buster, which is apparently a liquid. Anyone use that?

Catherine, where did you find the generic GFO?

[michika]

I found it at Big Als in Edmonton once or twice. They seem to constantly have rotating stock on GFO products. I only saw it in September and October, then never again.

I heard, mind you this was 2004, that Phos-Buster was a good product. However, I myself have never used it. I think the price always deterred me from using it. There was also a Marc Weiss product that was suggested to me for GHA, but I'm not sure about it either as I was uncomfortable with the lack of ingredient list.

[likwid]

Originally Posted by michika

I found it at Big Als in Edmonton once or twice. They seem to constantly have rotating stock on GFO products. I only saw it in September and October, then never again.

I heard, mind you this was 2004, that Phos-Buster was a good product. However, I myself have never used it. I think the price always deterred me from using it. There was also a Marc Weiss product that was suggested to me for GHA, but I'm not sure about it either as I was uncomfortable with the lack of ingredient list.

Is that Marc Weiss product "Algae Magic"? I bought that and it was a complete waste of $60. STAY AWAY!

[Tom R]

I am using ZEOvit system. It maintains phosphate at zero.

Brad I would be interested in having you test my water with your Phosphate low range photometre some time. I use a Seachem test kit and often wonder about its accuracy.

Tom

[andresont]

Originally Posted by Tom R

Brad I would be interested in having you test my water with your Phosphate low range photometre some time. I use a Seachem test kit and often wonder about its accuracy.

Tom

I would pay you to test my water too

[michika]

Originally Posted by likwid

Is that Marc Weiss product "Algae Magic"? I bought that and it was a complete waste of $60. STAY AWAY!

Yup, that was it. I didn't buy it, and later heard that it caused a total system wipe out. It happened to someone with about 80% less GHA in their system then I had at the time.

[surgeonfish]

Looks like lots of different products are being used.
I found RowaPhos worked the best.
I tried recharging opti-phos but it was messy and I was not sure it actually worked.
I have just started using the ZEOvit system to control my PO4. My phosphates are rising (0.10 using Hanna photometer) but they should start to drop as the tank becomes nutrient poor.