Phosguard in SPS tank

kuansreef · Oct 3, 2013

Is anyone using PhosGuard in SPS tank and seeing no ill effects? My SPS started having issues (dying and peeling off tissue) since I introduced PhosGaurd. I have tested water like crazy for a month and can't figure out the issue as all my water parameters are in perfect zones with chiller to control temperature. I suspect this product is the cause. I wonder if others out there are using PhosGuard and having issues with SPS. Thanks!

nova65ss · Oct 3, 2013

I use it all the time in a bag in my sump have been for years tons of sps.

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-Logzor · Oct 3, 2013

kuansreef said:
Is anyone using PhosGuard in SPS tank and seeing no ill effects? My SPS started having issues (dying and peeling off tissue) since I introduced PhosGaurd. I have tested water like crazy for a month and can't figure out the issue as all my water parameters are in perfect zones with chiller to control temperature. I suspect this product is the cause. I wonder if others out there are using PhosGuard and having issues with SPS. Thanks!

The issue is that you have plummeted your PO4 so much so that even your SPS cannot survive. I've made this same mistake before myself. Products that reduce PO4 remove it so rapidly that often our SPS corals go into shock and begin to die. This has been my experience.

When I run GFO now I use a very very small amount, because the GFO will pull out any PO4 within 24 hours and become exhausted, assuming there is PO4 available.

People who don't have issues with this typically have a much higher fish load or feed heavy, in this case the PO4 removal media simply maintains a better balance.

J Rog · Oct 3, 2013

I have had issues with Phosgaurd to. Non of my corals seemed to like it. Even using less then half of the recomended amount and still haveing some PO4 left in the tank.. My corals hate the stuff..

kuansreef · Oct 3, 2013

I used less than recommended. SPS were dying and all others fine. I cant figure out.

Arkayology · Oct 3, 2013

People use it all the time with no problem. I would cut the amount you are using and slowly ramp it up.

jamey1010 · Oct 3, 2013

Maybe I should have tried even less but last time I used it my sps hated that stuff too, but works great in my seahorse tank with softies/lps.

It was back a couple years ago so I can remember if I lost any but I know it was close and I'd be kinda weiry of trying it again although it is cheaper than gfo and easier to use in a bag than a reactor.

Mr. D · Oct 4, 2013

I just started using it. I run it in a mesh bag and went with about a quarter of what's recommended for my small tank. My rule of thumb is to start phosphate removers at a quarter of recommended and go from there.

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BattleAthletics · Oct 4, 2013

Same I use a quarter or less if I see some phosphate then I ramp it up to a bit more than a quarter

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spspirate · Oct 4, 2013

Use the recommended amount and you should be good. I have heard that once phosguard is exhausted phosphates can leech back into your system. I use ROWA and have been very happy with it for years.