Phosphate Reactor

goldenhurricane2 · Oct 17, 2016

So I recently set up a media reactor with some phosban. I did quite a bit of research before making this move, however I've received differing opinions regarding the flow brought the reaction chamber.

Some say it needs to be higher flow for it to make a real difference, others say the media should just be tumbling a very small amount.

So which is it? Right now I have it on a pretty low flow with just a little bit of tumble.

saltyphish · Oct 17, 2016

ive always heard low flow with a little tumble myself but I dont run it.

RJinPV · Oct 18, 2016

Low flow so the phosban is simmering. Otherwise it might pulverize into dust and get into the tank. High flow is for the pellet reactors

goldenhurricane2 · Oct 18, 2016

That's what I thought - so how long until I start seeing results?

Waters · Oct 18, 2016

I run GFO so it is just supposed to barely tumble...not sure on Phosban. You will see results quickly as far as the amount of phosphates in the water. It will take longer for whatever issue the phosphates are causing (algae I assume) to disappear though.

goldenhurricane2 · Oct 18, 2016

Thanks - I'm having a little bit of a cyano issue and I hadn't really noticed a difference yet. I may test again tonight and see how much has changed over the last several days.

R_C · Oct 18, 2016

The only thing is to not put too much in one shot, you might strip the water too quickly and cause something else. IMO always start a little less than is recommended and work up to it.

goldenhurricane2 · Oct 18, 2016

Yeah that's what I did - it didn't seem like much, but I didn't want to bring it down too fast.

goldenhurricane2 · Oct 18, 2016

So I tested and my phosphate levels have definitely dropped a little over the past several days. I still have a little patch of that dark red cyano and a couple of little spots of green cyano, but hopefully they'll go away soon.

RJinPV · Oct 18, 2016

My results were consistent with what was already stated. I started with Phosban then switched to GFO. Both in a bag, not a reactor. Phosphates responded within a week or two. It took a few months before the cyano disappeared (I removed it, it would come back a little less, I removed it again...) finally it stopped coming back. My phosphates have been under control for a year and only now is my GHA problem starting to not come back.