Phosban reactor

[GR808]

just added a phosban reactor 150 for my 120g and was wondering if there's any tips/tricks for running it. I put 200g phosphate media and have my 130gph pump at halfway and pinched back on the inlet to the reactor. I think I'm getting maybe 30-40 gph. my skimmer froth dropped big time and I was wondering if that's what I should expect?

 

[OMG Corals]

Assuming you are using GFO. Skimmer will go down with the addition of phosphate removers, and many other chemicals. They change the chemistry and break surface tension for a short period and this effects the foam buildup in the skimmer.

Sounds like a good setup to me. Just make sure you aren't getting any channeling or the media is compacting and you should be fine.

 

[GR808]

thanks Bill. No channeling, and small percolations of media in the chamber.
I've been noticing some GHA on my SB and some LR so I figured I should run the GFO. I was planning to put one in anyhow..

 

[OMG Corals]

Are you having any nitrate issues? That can cause algae growth much more than po4. The combination of the two is the worst. But don't rely on the GFO solely. Make sure you are skimming well and that the nitrates are being removed through water changes, and biological processes. Not being taken up by the algae first. Export through a fuge or removal of the algae will help get it under control.

 

[GR808]

Nitrates is 0 and my SWC skimmer skims really well. My chaeto does alot of the nitrate export so not too worried. I have been feeding more lately but maybe I should regulate feeding a bit more.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Holy cow! How big is your display, 200 grams of media is full does for 200 gallons and they recommend you start with 1/2 dose or less and work up over time.

Starting with too much will bleach SPS and LPS corals as willl running too much full dose.

The recommended amount is 10 grams, about one level tablespoonfull, per 10 gallons of tank water full does and 5 grams or a half spoon to start with.


I hope you have a very large 400G+ system or you may be in for trouble.

 

[GR808]

that may be the problem. DT is 120G. Guess I gotta take some out...
I haven't noticed any difference in the corals. the only thing was the BTA retracted but has since come back out in a few hours. All corals still got good PE so I'll keep an eye out for any issues.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Use 6 tablespoons for the first month or so, chaning every week or 10 days in the beginning as it will get saturated quickly. After that work up to 12 tablespoons or 120 grams maximum and your corals will be happy. There are a ton of threads on bleaching corals with too much and too fast.

 

[GR808]

Use 6 tablespoons for the first month or so, chaning every week or 10 days in the beginning as it will get saturated quickly. After that work up to 12 tablespoons or 120 grams maximum and your corals will be happy. There are a ton of threads on bleaching corals with too much and too fast.

Thanks for the tip. I removed a bunch.

 

[OMG Corals]

Wow!!! yeah didn't even see how much you were using. Sorry didn't catch that. Removing some should help alot.

 

[GR808]

I read somewhere that the rule of thumb was 2 grams per gallon.. Guess they where wrong..

 

[GR808]

prior to the reactor I was running a bag of Seachem Phosguard at about 100+ gms. the reactor is probably more efficient than the bag. Can I run the Phosguard in the reactor?

 

[AZDesertRat]

For some unknown reason BRS says more GFO than any other vendor by about double. I would be very hesitant to follow their recommendations since many other have been selling it for years and years.

I would not use Phosguard, its an aluminum based product rather than a ferric oxide or iron based product and has its problems. For one it releases the phosphates it captures when it is exhausted unlike iron based medias that bind it and doo not allow it to release.

 

[GR808]

For some unknown reason BRS says more GFO than any other vendor by about double. I would be very hesitant to follow their recommendations since many other have been selling it for years and years.

I would not use Phosguard, its an aluminum based product rather than a ferric oxide or iron based product and has its problems. For one it releases the phosphates it captures when it is exhausted unlike iron based medias that bind it and doo not allow it to release.

you are the man.. thanks again for the valuable info.

 

[GR808]

ok, an update.. Its seems my tank doesn't seem to run as well with the phosban reactor. It seem to run better when I just run my skimmer alone. I've tried running the reactor only on night schedule and it seem better as in coral appearance. when I run both skimmer and gfo, my skimmer head is greatly decreased and stays that way until I turn off the reactor. Don't know why I'm not getting a good skimmer head but I'd like to skim something out, so I'd figure run the gfo at night..
Any suggestions?

 

[AZDesertRat]

When the reactor is not running the water in it is becoming septic and possibly toxic, it will have zero dissolved oxygen at any rate. I say run something 24/7 or remove it.