Two Little Fishies Gfo/phosban Reactor Question

[heath]

today I received my phosguard and getting ready to put it in my reactor.. I bought the unit used and there were no sponges with it, how important are they and is there any else that I could in place of them.. eg; filter floss, etc..thanks

 

[dale]

the sponges are a pita, they clog quickly, i use a filtersock on the outlet of my reactors.. tumble lightly ( use a valve ), and drain the first bit into a bucket or something when you first fire it up and when you change media to get rid of floaties and dust/ lighter particles..

 

[heath]

thanks, I did rinse the phosguard really well before I put it in reactor.. just wasn't sure if the sponges were that important for best results..

 

[TORX]

Yes, sponges are needed. The bottom and the top one for proper flow through all the media. I use a pre-filter on my mj to help avoid any issues of clogging. Without the pre-filter I had to clean the sponges weekly if not twice a week. Now I only do it when I change the gfo.

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[AdInfinitum]

thanks, I did rinse the phosguard really well before I put it in reactor.. just wasn't sure if the sponges were that important for best results..

Just to clarify....are you using Phosguard as stated or GFO? If it is the aluminum product you don't want it to tumble like GFO it is OK just in a bag in flow. Also it's particles are quite large like carbon if I remember correctly so the screens may be enough without the sponges which are required for GFO.

 

[Canadianeh]

How about phosbound? Is it okay to use it with GFO reactor?

 

[AdInfinitum]

How about phosbound? Is it okay to use it with GFO reactor?

PhosBan is GFO just a brand name rather than bulk...assuming that what auto correct turned into phosbound...lol

 

[heath]

oh jesus, actually its Phosguard...

 

[heath]

Just to clarify....are you using Phosguard as stated or GFO? If it is the aluminum product you don't want it to tumble like GFO it is OK just in a bag in flow. Also it's particles are quite large like carbon if I remember correctly so the screens may be enough without the sponges which are required for GFO.

its in the reactor, its not tumbling.. I am getting quite impressed with Seachem, I have contacted them a couple of times and they have gotten right back to me...
Actually Rob, the pellets (?) are really small..

 

[AdInfinitum]

If they are staying in the reactor...fine although that stuff is OK in a bag as well. While your PO4 is high it will work fine but when the levels get down to where you want them I am not a fan of the aluminum product long term and find it too aggressive at lower levels...just my opinion...

 

[heath]

I have come to the conclusion that my po4 issues are coming from my rock, so its going to be a long haul and I am ok with that as long as I see the levels dropping.. my plan is that once its all leached out that with regular maintenance/husbandry I can keep things in check and won't have to use it..or that's the plan...

 

[AdInfinitum]

I have come to the conclusion that my po4 issues are coming from my rock, so its going to be a long haul and I am ok with that as long as I see the levels dropping.. my plan is that once its all leached out that with regular maintenance/husbandry I can keep things in check and won't have to use it..or that's the plan...

No....phosphate control is an ongoing thing...as long as you add food to the tank you will need to remove PO4. Nitrate and phosphate are the persistent residues from having things living and eating in your tank. Ideally nitrate can be reduced to Nitrogen and returned to the atmosphere but excess phosphate must be continually removed...it must be part of your ongoing plan to maintain your aquarium for as long as you have it running.

 

[Canadianeh]

PhosBan is GFO just a brand name rather than bulk...assuming that what auto correct turned into phosbound...lol

Sorry auto correct. Lol

Phosban is iron based and it is better than Phosguard, correct?
Is this better to be used with a reactor for continuous operation?

 

[AdInfinitum]

Sorry auto correct. Lol

Phosban is iron based and it is better than Phosguard, correct?
Is this better to be used with a reactor for continuous operation?

Yes PhosBan/GFO must be gently tumbled in a reactor or it will clump and yes the iron based products are better for long term use especially with sensitive corals.

 

[umbis]

today I received my phosguard and getting ready to put it in my reactor.. I bought the unit used and there were no sponges with it, how important are they and is there any else that I could in place of them.. eg; filter floss, etc..thanks

I used Phosgaurd for 2 years in the same reactor in my previous tank. The pellets always got stuck in the sponge. But if the sponge wasn't in the pellets would end up in the tank.

It worked great for lowering phosphate. It was hard on the leather coral I had though. I always knew it was time to change the Phosgaurd when the leather was looking healthier

 

[heath]

wow, were the pellets tumbling, the info that I got from Seachem stated that they should not tumble.. I put it in the tank last night and checked it this morning and the pellets are just sitting there.. hope they don't go into the tank, my fish are stupid and they would try and eat them.. I do have a few leathers in the tank so I will watch them...