PhosGuard - Positive Experience So Far - What do you use?

[rmurken]

You people and your excessive PO4! I’m always at zero no matter how much I feed, and am nervously looking over my shoulder for dinos.

 

[rmurken]

FWIW I’d go with chaeto, then make a decision about media if that doesn’t work. I don’t think WC’s are practical for reducing chronic PO4 since it’s an equilibrium situation with the aragonite surface area in your tank.

 

[Quiverfull]

Thanks for your input. I don't think I would leave it in for longer than a few days before I check my PO4 and then every other day until I hit the level I want and then take it out.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, I do not think phosphate binding reversibility is any different between GFO and phosguard (and calcium carbonate sand and rock surfaces, for that matter). All are reversible if the phosphate concentration in the water drops below the level in equilibrium with the amount of the solid surface.

 

[Reef.]

While I'm not convinced by the idea that it cannot lower phosphate "too much", aluminum oxide media (Phosguard, Kent Phosphate Sponge, other brands) do work well to bind phosphate and silicate.

One concern with Phosguard is release of aluminum, which has a long history of potentially impacting leather corals. If you do not use very much, do not have leathers, or do not see such issues, then it is likely fine to use.

GFO (granular ferric oxide) is an alternate product for binding phosphate which also works well.

Is aluminium only a concern for leather corals? Fish and LPS/SPS would not be affected?

I’ve been using rowaphos in a media bag, small tank, the staining off the rowaphos put me off it, now I’m worried about the aluminium.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Is aluminium only a concern for leather corals? Fish and LPS/SPS would not be affected?

I’ve been using rowaphos in a media bag, small tank, the staining the rowaphos put me off it, now I’m worried about the aluminium.

At some point elevated aluminum is an issue, but leathers and other soft corals (mushrooms) are what I have seen and/or read reported from levels that might come from aluminum oxide binders.

 

[Reef.]

At some point elevated aluminum is an issue, but leathers and other soft corals (mushrooms) are what I have seen and/or read reported from levels that might come from aluminum oxide binders.

Thanks
Do you have a preference between gfo and aluminium oxide binders? based on their negative properties rather than from a usage perspective?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I prefer GFO based on lack of issues from iron release.

 

[Reeftransport]

Row a phos works really good slow and steady messy but works great in my next reef MR1 reactor.