Phosguard advice

[Arod0416]

My phosphate level is a 1. I was recommended to order phosguard. I Was unaware that I had to buy a filter sock. Do I need one or I can just put it in my filter? I have a canister.
This is my first time doing this.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

You don’t need a sock. A cheap mesh bag (very small mesh) is all that is needed to hold it. Placement is easy. Anywhere water can flow through it. If putting in a hang on back filter, do not stuff the bag full. Leave room for the beads to tumble a little. If a canister filter, you can add a bit more beads to the bag, but still want room for the beads to move around in bag.

be sure to go slow with removing the po4. Phosguard will strip po4 from the water quickly. You also need to check it often at high levels, as once the phosguard has absorbed all it can, it can start leeching it back in.

 

[Arod0416]

I do not have a mesh bag I guess I have to order some online. So, do you recommend I remove the phosguard when the phosphate gets low? And add the phosguard whenever it strikes back up

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I do not have a mesh bag I guess I have to order some online. So, do you recommend I remove the phosguard when the phosphate gets low? And add the phosguard whenever it strikes back up

You want to reduce the phosphate slowly. The trick is finding your source. To keep levels low.
Tell is a little about the tank. Age, type of rock used to start it, livestock, how much you feed, etc.

Phosguard can be used for management. You just use a small amount that matches removal of what you put in. But you need a little phosphate if you have corals. They don’t use much, but they use a little.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Also, if you have a petco, pet smart or a local fish store, they all carry mesh bags for only a few bucks. Just be sure it is a very fine mesh.

 

[Arod0416]

I had several threads to help me cycle my tank properly. I was in this hobby for 3 years and then I fell off due to my job. Then I got back on several months ago. I decided to start a new tank and I scrubbed off my previous live and dry rocks. I cleaned them with water and hydrogen peroxide and rinsed them and put them in my new tank. Then I added live caribsea sand and imagitarium ocean water. My water levels were 0 and my ph was 8.2. I had it like this running for a couple of months. Then, on Thursday or Friday I decided to buy livestock. I bought 2 clownfish, goby, tank, and chromis, and a cleaner shrimp.
Being in this r2r center, I was able to fix my water flow, and get certain products like phosguard and dr tims one and only.
I am using the API testing kit and it reads:
Ph: 8.2
Ammonia: 0.25 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 40 ppm.
So, I decided to buy salifert ammonia testing and I put dr. Tims product in the water. I decided to test the water parameters yesterday morning and the results were:
Ph: 8.2
Ammonia: <0.15 (but, api testing still said 0.25)
Nitrite: 0 ppm
nitrate: 20 ppm.

 

[truth954]

I used Phosguard before, recommend to read the instructions on the use. Don't forget to rinse and rinse again. Or dip a few time.

You can use a cheap drawstring mesh bag from local fish store.

 

[Arod0416]

I used Phosguard before, recommend to read the instructions on the use. Don't forget to rinse and rinse again. Or dip a few time.

You can use a cheap drawstring mesh bag from local fish store.

Thanks I will go later to the fish store n get the mesh bags.

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Thanks I will go later to the fish store n get the mesh bags.

Depending on which phosguard you got, it may come in a mesh bag.