Phosguard usage question

[jarviz]

I've been into the recommended phosguard amount 3 days ago. My phosphates were at 0.24 the first day and then 0.17 the last two days. It says to measure on the 4th day and if it hasn't dropped to 0.02mg/L (ppm?), then replace the phosguard. I'm pretty sure that it won't reach 0.02 at this rate. Would it better to up the dosage on the next replacement?

 

[X-37B]

I would leave it and not add any until the numbers go up.
Thats the way I use it from time to time.
What is your desired po4 range?
Also I use 50% less than they recommend.
My po4 was .017 and my desired range is .04-.1
.06 is my target.
I add 1/2 cup in a mesh bag and throw it in my filter sock.
3-5 days later its .06 then out it comes.
Once it gets around .06 it can be stripped pretty fast to 0 from my experience.
Slowly lowering it is best.
Remember po4 and no3 are whats left from your export system.
At .17 my tank looked fine with no issues. For me its an indicator im feeding to much dry food.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

I would wait another day and retest. If numbers go back up its time to replace. You do not want to strip your tank of nutrients. DINOS BAD

 

[jarviz]

I would leave it and not add any until the numbers go up.
Thats the way I use it from time to time.
What is your desired po4 range?
Also I use 50% less than they recommend.
My po4 was .017 and my desired range is .04-.1
.06 is my target.
I add 1/2 cup in a mesh bag and throw it in my filter sock.
3-5 days later its .06 then out it comes.
Once it gets around .06 it can be stripped pretty fast to 0 from my experience.
Slowly lowering it is best.
Remember po4 and no3 are whats left from your export system.
At .17 my tank looked fine with no issues. For me its an indicator im feeding to much dry food.

I only have LPS and one leather, so i don't mind it a little higher around 0.1-0.15. Corals seem to enjoy it dirtier too, but i just don't want an algae outbreak... and still trying to figure out how to properly use phosguard (schedule and dosage wise)

ok i'll leave it in for a couple of more days and restest. i don't have an exporty system except for filter floss and carbon/phosguard. Still testing out how this combo works out.

 

[Reef.]

I could not get my PO4 down to low lvls with phosguard either, same results as you, I switched to rowaphos which does, it’s a lot more effective so take it easy with it, as Rowa will strip your tank of PO4.

 

[X-37B]

I could not get my PO4 down to low lvls with phosguard either, same results as you, I switched to rowaphos which does, it’s a lot more effective so take it easy with it, as Rowa will strip your tank of PO4.

I wonder why. I can get mine to zero pretty quick with phosgaurd if I want.
For me a little works very well in a bag.
I have only ran it lately as my tank and fish have grown quite a bit in the last 6 months.
I may need a bigger skimmer as I am not a fan of chemical po4 reduction but it does work quite well when needed.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I wonder why. I can get mine to zero pretty quick with phosgaurd if I want.
For me a little works very well in a bag.

In many tanks with elevated phosphate, there is a HUGE reservoir of phosphate absorbed onto calcium carbonate surfaces, and that can account for far, far more than is actually present in the water, but that needs to be depleted before you can keep the levels low.

 

[Jody Owens]

In many tanks with elevated phosphate, there is a HUGE reservoir of phosphate absorbed onto calcium carbonate surfaces, and that can account for far, far more than is actually present in the water, but that needs to be depleted before you can keep the levels low.

Is there any easy way to get the phosphate out of those surfaces? I think that is what I am dealing with in my tanks. I could probably change out 80% of the water and still have really high levels. I am guessing that I might want to run something like Phosguard/GFO to get the phosphates down without really doing a water change and stripping the nitrates.

 

[jda]

Track the numbers daily and you will figure out how long your container of phosguard lasts. It can be as little as one day.

Water changes don't do much for phosphates, but I find it wonderful for other things. You need media or chemicals if your rock/sand is a reservoir. When you get low the rock/sand can act as a buffer - in a good way. You just have to keep using the media and it will eventually leave - a dude near my took 2 5 gallon buckets to get his 180g with rock and sand down from over 1.0 to about .05... and stay there. Once you get low, a fuge or multiple skimmers can usually help maintain... these usually don't help you lower.