GFO/Rowaphos Usage

Coolcasino · Apr 2, 2022

Reef. said:
You can also check the water exiting from the reactor to check when it’s exhausted.

Well that's a handy trick.

Kodski · Apr 2, 2022

My LFS guru recommended me to use Rowaphos to remove the phosphates to the level I want them at and then use BrightWell Aquatic Xport-PO4 media to maintain said phosphate levels. So far its been working great. I run it the Rowaphos in a reactor. There is a Rowaphos calculator to help get you started with how much you should use, just google Rowaphos calculator. Very low flow through the reactor so you don't strip phosphates out too quickly. Replace the first batch of Rowaphos after 3-5 days. Keep an eye on phosphates and the second they start to rise again that means your Rowaphos is saturated and can't remove any more. Once your phosphates levels get to where you want them with Rowaphos replace with the Brightwell Xport-PO4 media. About 1/2" cup per 80gallons of water volume and run very low flow through it. I've been told this media will last quite a while in a low flow reactor without depleting phosphates completely.

Coolcasino · Apr 2, 2022

Kodski said:
My LFS guru recommended me to use Rowaphos to remove the phosphates to the level I want them at and then use BrightWell Aquatic Xport-PO4 media to maintain said phosphate levels. So far its been working great. I run it the Rowaphos in a reactor. There is a Rowaphos calculator to help get you started with how much you should use, just google Rowaphos calculator. Very low flow through the reactor so you don't strip phosphates out too quickly. Replace the first batch of Rowaphos after 3-5 days. Keep an eye on phosphates and the second they start to rise again that means your Rowaphos is saturated and can't remove any more. Once your phosphates levels get to where you want them with Rowaphos replace with the Brightwell Xport-PO4 media. About 1/2" cup per 80gallons of water volume and run very low flow through it. I've been told this media will last quite a while in a low flow reactor without depleting phosphates completely.

I was actually reading about this product today.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 3, 2022

Coolcasino said:
Do you prefer GFO over Rowa?

Rowaphos is simply a brand of GFO.

Jbell370 · Apr 3, 2022

I use bulk GFO in a BRS reactor, about 2 cups on 220g and change monthly. I like keeping my fish fat and healthy, hence overfeed time to time.

Coolcasino · Apr 3, 2022

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Rowaphos is simply a brand of GFO.

Which GFO do you use?

Coolcasino · Apr 3, 2022

Jbell370 said:
I use bulk GFO in a BRS reactor, about 2 cups on 220g and change monthly. I like keeping my fish fat and healthy, hence overfeed time to time.

What does using it like this keep you PO4 at?

Jbell370 · Apr 3, 2022

Coolcasino said:
What does using it like this keep you PO4 at?

I use Kolar labs as it works well and the price is good in my area. I did just buy Rowa and maybe I didn’t use enough as once it started to come down it seemed to spike back up. Since then I went back to the Kolar. I run that in a BRS reactor with the output draining in to a filter sock just in case any fines escape, but changed the sock last night and there was no indication of that.

I’ve typically had phosphates .32 or so and it works for me, no algae in display, fauna in my refugium grows well, sps grows. As of testing last night my phosphate is .24 and want to get that gradually under 1.

Coolcasino · Apr 3, 2022

Jbell370 said:
want to get that gradually under 1

Yeah. I really don't have algae issues. I have noticed my glass getting dirtier more frequent. Sand could be cleaner. I just never really thought about PO4 since I didn't have a test for it. Now that I know its so high getting it down seems like a logical step. My trident keeps ALK, CAL & MAG in check. Nitrates are under 15 which is understandable with all the food I dump in the tank to keep the fish happy. My fuge should be helping in that department. I wish PH could be higher but difficult to keep up with a closed house. Winters are terrible and summers need to have AC on or the tank will boil. CO2 scrubber has helped tremendously. So if I can maintain PO4 under 0.10 I think that tank would help the corals and the tank overall.

Jbell370 · Apr 3, 2022

Coolcasino said:
Yeah. I really don't have algae issues. I have noticed my glass getting dirtier more frequent. Sand could be cleaner. I just never really thought about PO4 since I didn't have a test for it. Now that I know its so high getting it down seems like a logical step. My trident keeps ALK, CAL & MAG in check. Nitrates are under 15 which is understandable with all the food I dump in the tank to keep the fish happy. My fuge should be helping in that department. I wish PH could be higher but difficult to keep up with a closed house. Winters are terrible and summers need to have AC on or the tank will boil. CO2 scrubber has helped tremendously. So if I can maintain PO4 under 0.10 I think that tank would help the corals and the tank overall.

I honestly think you just read my mind! The exact path that I am on, Canada winter almost over, Ph 8-8.22 night to daytime, notice the glass film every few days, that was the reason for the start of all this. Previously I ran gfo and carbon in 1 unit, it didn’t tumble but did some type of job, now with gfo free on its own, much better. I was reading about outside air line which lead me to co2 scrubber from there figured just install an air exchanger as several reef friends have those and has helped. If you tell me you’re using ATI essentials for dosing I know I’m stuck some place in the matrix.

Coolcasino · Apr 3, 2022

Jbell370 said:
If you tell me you’re using ATI essentials for dosing I know I’m stuck some place in the matrix.

Sorry... not in the matrix lol. However I am trying to decide what else to dose. I'm reading red sea is phosphate in a bottle. Forget about reef-roids. I have dosed acro power before just because it didn't have to be refrigerated. I hadn't tested for PO4 so I don't know if thats any good. Been reading on some of the Brightwell stuff and seem pretty good. Just trying to get the PO4 under control before I move on to the next step.