Phosphate And Nitrate Removing Media

[xxBarneyxx]

Well the nitrates and phosphates on my tank is still pretty high (0.02 phosphate and about 20 nitrate!!). It is also starting to effect the corals (GSP and torch corals are not always opening properly). Doing water changes (about 25l at a time) but don't have the capability to do 1 really large one (100g tank, not easy to make up 25-50g of water for a big change) this doesn't seem to really be helping though.

I have put some phosphate remover in the tank (fluval stuff) but this doesnt seem to be doing a great deal either (though there has been a reduction in the amount of cyano in the tank so it might be doing something).

I have been reading up on nitrate removing media and have read in a few places that its actually not very good. Does anyone have any experience with using it?

I was going to set up a RDSB but that will take awhile to start working and I really need to try and drop the levels as quickly as possible.

Also with the phosphate removing media the instructions say to use with caution in reef tanks. I used the recommend amount (which is a 5th of the normal amount) but it doesnt seem like very much. Also I'm not 100% sure but I think the issues with the corals have only started since I put it in.

 

[BigC]

Hi Barney,
For phosphates I'm using a Phosban reactor and Rowaphos media. I also use Activated Carbon in the sump directly below the sump intake.
I waterchange religiously 18ltrs weekly (approx total tank volume after displacement 70ltrs).
My nitrates can be anything up to 5 and I dont really need to worry.
I found the phosphate reactor to be a good buy as the water can flow through the media rather than just plunking it in a bag and hoping its doing its job. I don't think this method fully utilised the phosphate media to best effect as the water is not making much contact through it.
I measure with the Merck D&D kit and the vials are always cleaned with distilled water. and my phos levels are always under the required limit.
i.e. you have difficulty differentiating the colour differences between the two vials.
Hope that was of some help
Regards
C

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Thanks Big C, I have the bits to build my own phosphate reactor but just havent had time to do it yet (cant believe they charge like £80 for a jar with 2 bits of tubing in!).

 

[BigC]

I have the bits to build my own phosphate reactor but just havent had time to do it yet (cant believe they charge like £80 for a jar with 2 bits of tubing in!).

You feeling the Credit Crunch B or is it just because you've become domesticated
ATB
C

 

[TigerIssey]

Big C I thought you were using Ultiphos P now, I have been using it for nearly a month at double dose in a bubble stop in the sump. My Cyano, that if you remember was at volcanic proportions has died back to very little. I have just paid 16.99 for the 1 litre tub, much more economical than Rowaphos and does seem to be working very well.

 

[BigC]

Big C I thought you were using Ultiphos P now

Just ran out T, last week, awaiting a new bulk buy from the NiRC, so until then I'm back to the Rowa, which is bloomin expensive.
But you are correct in saying that I do use Ultiphos P and the results are no different than using the more expensive brand. One thing I have noticed, I've changed it more regular than Rowa, nowhere near twice the amount but I do change it more frequently.
ATB
C

 

[kj23502]

I threw Rowa in my skimmer return area in my dual bakpak skimmer. I have it down low in the mesh bag so the water has to at least flow around around it.

I need to do some extra water changes before I get my corals, though. Nitrates were still around 20ppm last time I checked. Inverts and fish seem to be ok with that amount. My $50 shrimp still does his bulldozing duties too. It will probably be a problem w/my zoos, though.

 

[TigerIssey]

I used twice the maintenance dose as I obviously had phosphates with the amount of cyano I had. I have changed it sooner than recommended as the cyano was so bad. I recently acquired the Salifert test kit which gave 0.03ppm of phosphates, I am just making sure I guess by changing sooner and at the double dose. Once all signs are gone, I will drop to the maintenance dose which is half of what I am using now.

I have been very pleased with it though, it seems to be doing the job.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

I have the bits to build my own phosphate reactor but just havent had time to do it yet (cant believe they charge like £80 for a jar with 2 bits of tubing in!).

You feeling the Credit Crunch B or is it just because you've become domesticated
ATB
C

lol a bit of both mate (actually its more a case that if Lyn found out i paid £80 for a jar with a couple of tubes on she would skin me alive ).

 

[Crazy fishes]

I have always thought that they should make like a dialysis unit for aquaria. It would be amazing, keep the water really clean.

You know the first dialysis machines used in human had sausage skins as the membrane filters and used like a water trough for cleaning clothes. As you can imagine it didn't work terribly well but the surprising thing is it worked at all. The guy survived for several days on it.

Regards

 

[BigC]

if Lyn found out i paid £80 for a jar with a couple of tubes on she would skin me alive

Ah! Barney me old China you've still a lot to learn M8, your only a young whipper-snapper when it comes to putting forward feasible excuses to explain/justify you actions. It's amazing how this side of the hobby turns you into a habitual Liar even if they are only white ones.

Just keeping the Peace
BigC