Phosban reactor or NO

[Pizza101]

Just wanting to get an opinion on weather on is needed or not!

[slitherbomb]

Do you have excessive phosphates? If you have a refugium you should just get chaeto algae.

[Pizza101]

Originally Posted by slitherbomb

Do you have excessive phosphates? If you have a refugium you should just get chaeto algae.

Yea I have a fugue/ sump with cheato I'n it phos ate at .25 pretty steady

[MrPeon99]

What test kit do you use? I don't trust mine. It always said .25 even with water coming out of a gfo reactor, and any water sample I tested. I've just been to lazy to buy a different test kit.

[Pizza101]

I think seachem

[austinsdad]

Anything above zero phosphates requries corrective action IMO. Using RO/DI water or is it in your tap water?

[Pizza101]

Originally Posted by austinsdad

Anything above zero phosphates requries corrective action IMO. Using RO/DI water or is it in your tap water?

I only use RO/DI water. So I'm guessing that setting up a Phosban reactor is prolly a good idea. I have got some negative feedback on doing this as well but I'm looking to put the NX BIo pellets I'n.

[carey]

I would invest in a top notch testing kit like a salifert for your phosphates test. My api always says I have no phosphates but the salifert can pick them up and its quite clear what the reading is.

Theres also the electronic version of the test that Hanna makes. I use that now, you put water in a tube, hit a button, then put in a powder packet and put it in the machine. Then voila 3 min later you have an exact number. I think I paid $30 for my kit.

But back to the question. lol If you have any phosphates it should be addressed and a reactor can do that. These are nicer than the phosban and have great reviews and they are cheap

BRS GFO and Carbon Reactor - English


I was thisclose to buying one my self until I got my phosphates down to .13 and I figured i can do the rest myself. The one I linked can also tumble carbon too soif you need that this is a great little reactor.

[austinsdad]

Couple of questions. For the heck of it, have you tested your RO/DI water for phosphates? Also, do you use a substantial amount of flake food? It's the number one source of added phosphates in the home aquarium.

Good article IMO. Phosphates in the Aquarium

Another... http://www.athiel.com/lib3/phos.htm

[Pizza101]

Originally Posted by austinsdad

Couple of questions. For the heck of it, have you tested your RO/DI water for phosphates? Also, do you use a substantial amount of flake food? It's the number one source of added phosphates in the home aquarium.

Good article IMO. Phosphates in the Aquarium

Another... http://www.athiel.com/lib3/phos.htm

I always test the water after I pick it up from the LPS! And as far as food goes all I use is frozen foods for my fish and corals. I also put liquid food for the corals as well.

[carey]

Do you melt your frozen cubes in tank water and then strain? You can get phosphates from the liquid they freeze the food in! Something I picked up in my early days on the forum.

[Pizza101]

Originally Posted by carey

Do you melt your frozen cubes in tank water and then strain? You can get phosphates from the liquid they freeze the food in! Something I picked up in my early days on the forum.

Hello Carey,
I don't do that actually but I do know on the blister pack says that it's guaranteed not to have any I'n it though.

[austinsdad]

Are you adding the liquid that frozen food is frozen in? Gotta thaw and rinse that stuff.

[scubasteve03]

I agree with carey in my early days I would just tough and feed after some reserch I stoped that and my phos have droped and stableized at 0

[MrPeon99]

Carey- where did you buy the electronic tester? I don't think I've come across one for $35.

[carey]

I got it from a guy on CL brand new. They run about $40 bucks I think normally. Lemme try to find a link...

[carey]

Guess I got a really good deal. This is the first one I found

Amazon.com: Hanna Instruments HI 713 Checker HC Handheld Colorimeter for Phosphate: Industrial & Scientific

Works like a dream too. I love mine.

[MrPeon99]

I'm going to pick one up. Thanks, Carey.

[carey]

No worries! Youre very welcome.

[Pizza101]

I guess what I'm asking is I have a chance to get a two little fishes Phosban reactor, media,tubing, screens and pump for sixty bucks. Should I buy it or just another thing to plug I'n and let run for no apparent reason