brown dust

[Alcasrac]

i have no idea, this is a good section for my question
my tank175gallons running about 6months ago, 20 kg sand, 40 kg (was) dry rock, crabs snails, shrimps, few fish couple of days ago i got yellow spotted gobys... i like this guys, all day cleaning the sand
i got phosphate reactor with row, and i just thinking about this reactor create the light brown mess on the sponge filter, on the sump everywhere... skimmer, ceramic balls, socks, and now srart on the dt back glass, i not cleaning so often that glass. last time when i cleaned out this brown stuff, after the tank looks like slowed down.
can i just clean down from the filter sponges? is getting blocked and makes the water flow slow in the sump, and a found the nitrate go up...:/
about 10-12 days ago i fitted the new reactor for the denitrate stones with low waterflow, but is not ready yet.
so all-in one... that brown dust generate the nitrate problem?
cheers mate!

 

[lapin]

The brown dust is fine particles of the Rowaphos. Iron Oxide. You need to do something.
You can rinse it before putting it in your reactor.
When you turn on the reactor use a very slow flow so it just tumbles a little.
When you first turn on the reactor place the output pipe in a bucket until the water runs clear.
If you still have issues use a media bag. Place the rowaphos in it, rinse and place that in the reactor.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I have not used Rowa, I actually just got my first jar. I usually use high capacity gfo. I get a big bowl and ro water. I put the gfo on the bottom and fill the bowl with ro. The gfo sinks to the bottom and I pour off the brown water. I keep filing and pouring until the water is clear. Then I scoop it and put it in the reactor

Not sure if Rowa is same