Granular Ferric Hydroxide .

[atoll]

Anybody used/tried this Phosfoe Granular Ferric Hydroxide GFO Phosphate Binder?
Larger granules than many other GFOs like Rowa. However, it's makers claimed it is highly porous.
Made in Germany and much cheaper than the likes of Rowa. They say its suitable for both FW abd SW use.
Check out the photos attached.

 

[cdemoss01]

Bumping @Randy Holmes-Farley might be able to help here.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I don’t see how there is a benefit unless you don’t want to mess with lightly tumbling gfo.

Granular GFO has more active area per volume and is likely much cheaper per active area.

Brightwell has XPort Po4 which is similar. They say it is not GFO, but that is semantics, it is likely Fe3O4 on a ceramic carrier.

Maybe benefit is lower dust? Not sure if GFO leaches anything. Randy can answer that.

 

[atoll]

I don’t see how there is a benefit unless you don’t want to mess with lightly tumbling gfo.

Granular GFO has more active area per volume and is likely much cheaper per active area.

Brightwell has XPort Po4 which is similar. They say it is not GFO, but that is semantics, it is likely Fe3O4 on a ceramic carrier.

Maybe benefit is lower dust? Not sure if GFO leaches anything. Randy can answer that.

It does seem quite porous.
There is little dust.
cheaper than say Rowa. Am not suggesting it being cheaper is better just cheaper.
Made in Germany which iften translates to quality.
Dosen't tend spill out of reactors like some GFO.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I am not familiar with this particular product, but the claim on the package you posted has the same inaccuracy many similar products claim.

"It binds phosphates and silicates from both freshwater and salt water and will not release them back into your water."

That shows a misunderstanding of how binders work. They bind an amount to their surfaces that is related to the amount in the water. More in the water means more binding. Less in the water means less binding.

If the binder loads up in a high phosphate concentration, and is still in the water when a lower concentration is attained, then it is likely some is going to be released to reach a new equilibrium. When Rowaphos first came out I showed this experimentally myself for that product making a similar claim.

The phosphate and silicate is also subject to being displaced from the surfaces if more strongly binding materials come along. Some organics will do this, maybe even some of the amino acids some folks dose, such as aspartic acid, though I am not certain how large of an effect that is in a reef tank situation..

 

[KrisReef]

I am not familiar with this particular product, but the claim on the package you posted has the same inaccuracy many similar products claim.

"It binds phosphates and silicates from both freshwater and salt water and will not release them back into your water."

That shows a misunderstanding of how binders work. They bind an amount to their surfaces that is related to the amount in the water. More in the water means more binding. Less in the water means less binding.

If the binder loads up in a high phosphate concentration, and is still in the water when a lower concentration is attained, then it is likely some is going to be released to reach a new equilibrium. When Rowaphos first came out I showed this experimentally myself for that product making a similar claim.

The phosphate and silicate is also subject to being displaced from the surfaces if more strongly binding materials come along. Some organics will do this, maybe even some of the amino acids some folks dose, such as aspartic acid, though I am not certain how large of an effect that is in a reef tank situation..

The first laws described by chemistry and physics are never quite as powerful as the basic laws and principles of marketing which allows all claims of superiority of a product if those claims increase the market share of the product that defies standard scientific theory. The hobbyist decides with their purchase which laws of the universe are applicable and which laws are subservient to their own interests.

 

[Ryan - Serious Reefs]

Wonder if it is the same as what’s in Eheim’s "made in Germany" product. I’ve never used it, but I always thought it had merit for those who don’t want to mess with reactors or chase the perfect tumble.

I’m at a point now where I’d rather use a bag. I know it’s less efficient, but it’s also less work and far less monitoring.

 

[BeanAnimal]

but I always thought it had merit for those who don’t want to mess with reactors or chase the perfect tumble.
I’m at a point now where I’d rather use a bag. I know it’s less efficient, but it’s also less work and far less monitoring.

Looks like the same product to me.

I would wager that plain old GFO is likely the bang for the buck vs. the same basic product laced into an aluminum or other porous matrix.

I tried the Xport stuff back in the day and was not impressed with the capacity for the price. I tried it as an alternative to dealing with "reactors", which are a mess to manage, refill and clean.

Like you, I quickly settled on the media bag in the sump. A bag may not be ideal due to channeling or dead spots, but still has more capacity at a lower cost than those meteorites.

 

[Ryan - Serious Reefs]

I keep meaning to try this resin based solution but never get around to it... Im sure it is far from the cheapest but I might consider this as an option in a sock if it didn't brick up.

https://www.maxspect.com/en/nano-tech-bio-media/616-nano-tech-phosphree.html

 

[atoll]

After a week using Phosfoe my PO4 has gone down from 44ppb = 0.104ppm Phosphate to 7ppb = 0.021. As recorded on my Hanna Phosphorus ULR checker.
I am very happy with that but don't want it to go any lower.