Phosban reactor for a 12g nano?

glb · Mar 25, 2015

I have a gha problem in my tank that keeps returning. Phosphates last test were 0.07, but I think it's probably higher because of the algae consuming it. I have phosban in my sump. I've been running the white lights only 3-4hrs to help. My LPS coral aren't doing well and this is the only out of whack number. Would a reactor help? The tank is recovering from a crash last summer that caused a massive outbreak of cyano and GHA. It's much better now but I'm wondering if I need to do more. I have two baby clownfish, 3 nerite snails, a peppermint crab and a baby orange starfish. Here are my other numbers:

Nitrates: 5-10ppm
Mg: 1380 ppm
Ca: 490
Alk: 172ppm
Temp: 78
SG: 1.024
pH: 7.8-8.0

Is a reactor worth it?

143MPCo · Mar 25, 2015

IMO, a reactor might help, but are you running anything to increase the beneficial production of bacteria? You might want to consider dosing Vodka or using tropic marin reef actif to bring up the good beneficial bacteria and combat the issues you are facing. If you want you can also run bio-pellets but I would suggest the all-in-one type as they have GFO in them and seem to do a way better job at lowering PO4 levels.

Link to Reef ACTIF-->Tropic Marin Reef ACTIF 100ml | Premium Aquatics
Link to vodka dosing --> Vodka Dosing by 'Genetics' and 'Stony_Corals' - Reefkeeping.com

143MPCo · Mar 25, 2015

Just to clarify, it's one or the other not all 3 at the same time... sry about that.

Your tank is also on the small side so I would consider Vodka before any of the others as they are meant for larger applications.

miamiangler · Mar 25, 2015

It`s only a 12 gal nano so dosing vodka I don't think would work . GFO works best In a reactor and does not work well In a bag because of flow and It will harden , I run a GFO reactor on all 3 of my tanks and so far no algae problem . I will be adding a reactor to my 12gal which Is a project which still Is on hold . I`m not sure If someone makes a smaller reactor but on a 12 gal It does not have to be big with a low flow going through the chamber .
For now I would do some WC and see what happens . A gal or two every other day might help. test you RO water for phosphates.

glb · Mar 25, 2015

miamiangler said:
It`s only a 12 gal nano so dosing vodka I don't think would work . GFO works best In a reactor and does not work well In a bag because of flow and It will harden , I run a GFO reactor on all 3 of my tanks and so far no algae problem . I will be adding a reactor to my 12gal which Is a project which still Is on hold . I`m not sure If someone makes a smaller reactor but on a 12 gal It does not have to be big with a low flow going through the chamber .
For now I would do some WC and see what happens . A gal or two every other day might help. test you RO water for phosphates.

Thanks. I'm going to test it. I also have a TDS monitor coming today. Can I run a reactor without a skimmer. Are there any downsides to running one that I might not realize? Any info would be helpful. I know more frequent water changes would help but if a reactor could keep changes to once a week that would help immensely.

glb · Mar 25, 2015

miamiangler said:
It`s only a 12 gal nano so dosing vodka I don't think would work . GFO works best In a reactor and does not work well In a bag because of flow and It will harden , I run a GFO reactor on all 3 of my tanks and so far no algae problem . I will be adding a reactor to my 12gal which Is a project which still Is on hold . I`m not sure If someone makes a smaller reactor but on a 12 gal It does not have to be big with a low flow going through the chamber .
For now I would do some WC and see what happens . A gal or two every other day might help. test you RO water for phosphates.

What reactor are you going to buy?

miamiangler · Mar 25, 2015

I use the one from Two Little Fishies on three of my tanks ,no down side they work very well . I just hav`nt done anything with the 12 gal yet .Have to measure if it would fit on the back of a nano cube . weekly WC should take care of Nitrates .I change my GFO when I get a reading Higher then o.o5 or when theres a lot of algae growth on the glass after three days .

AQSstudent · Mar 26, 2015

What's your source water looking like? Do you use RO?

glb · Mar 26, 2015

I use RO from a LFS but I checked it and the TDS was 7 and the phosphates were .04.

glb · Mar 26, 2015

miamiangler said:
I use the one from Two Little Fishies on three of my tanks ,no down side they work very well . I just hav`nt done anything with the 12 gal yet .Have to measure if it would fit on the back of a nano cube . weekly WC should take care of Nitrates .I change my GFO when I get a reading Higher then o.o5 or when theres a lot of algae growth on the glass after three days .

Can you run one without a skimmer?

miamiangler · Mar 26, 2015

No skimmer needed . I would first get your RO In order first . if you keep putting phosphates in the water it`s not solving the problem . I like watching the vids from BRS or U-tube .get some great ideas from there . Hope this helps . Got to change so GFO today I noticed some hair algae in my 65gal . never ending !

reefwiser · Mar 26, 2015

A 12 gallon an you want to use phosban. You would be better off doing water changes than adding chemical filtration on such a small aquarium It would cause more problems than it would be worth.

glb · Mar 26, 2015

reefwiser said:
A 12 gallon an you want to use phosban. You would be better off doing water changes than adding chemical filtration on such a small aquarium It would cause more problems than it would be worth.

Is phosban different than Phosguard? I have Phosguard in my sump right now. What problems would chemical filtration cause? I know from experience that every solution can create a new set of problems, so what are the downsides?

maroun.c · Mar 26, 2015

glb said:
I use RO from a LFS but I checked it and the TDS was 7 and the phosphates were .04.

That is your problem. Youre adding phosphates with each top off or water change. I say get some RODI with 0 TDS water and do few water changes and youll be fine.

glb · Mar 26, 2015

maroun.c said:
That is your problem. Youre adding phosphates with each top off or water change. I say get some RODI with 0 TDS water and do few water changes and youll be fine.

Thanks. I'm looking into buying a RODI.

reefwiser · Mar 29, 2015

glb said:
Is phosban different than Phosguard? I have Phosguard in my sump right now. What problems would chemical filtration cause? I know from experience that every solution can create a new set of problems, so what are the downsides?

You are dealing with a very small body of water. Doing a water change each week would way more effective than adding chemicals to the mix.You can strip all the Phosphates out of your water and to fast and that can cause and imbalance too.