How to use Rowaphos

[gordoncheers]

How would I use RowaPhos with a reactor? and how long should I leave it running for so that my phosphates don't completely zero out.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What level are you at now?

 

[gordoncheers]

What level are you at now?

My phosphates are extremely high at 1.5

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The GFO will deplete very fast at that level. Lowering phosphate too fast may cause more harm than the high phosphate, so going slow is good. I’d put a small amount in the reactor and run it 48 h, then recheck phosphate and probably replace the GFO.

As to amount, I’d use less than the manufacturer recommended amount each time.

I’d stop the process in the 0.2 ppm range. Going too low is much worse than being too high.

 

[gordoncheers]

The GFO will deplete very fast at that level. Lowering phosphate too fast may cause more harm than the high phosphate, so going slow is good. I’d put a small amount in the reactor and run it 48 h, then recheck phosphate and probably replace the GFO.

As to amount, I’d use less than the manufacturer recommended amount each time.

I’d stop the process in the 0.2 ppm range. Going too low is much worse than being too high.

In the event that the GFO lowers my phosphates below the recommended level, could I feed more in order to get my phosphate levels higher by a bit?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

In the event that the GFO lowers my phosphates below the recommended level, could I feed more in order to get my phosphate levels higher by a bit?

Yes. But going below the lower limit (varies by aquarist, but my lower target is 0.1 ppm right now) is not the only concern. A fast drop from 1 ppm to 0.5 ppm can be a significant problem.