Questions about phosphate rx

reeferbuddy215 · Mar 13, 2017

I found a bottle I had and I'm confused on using it cuz some ppl say you need a micron sock so I'm guessing it binds to the po4 then we have to filter it out? Cuz I just dropped like 15 drops some in my sump some in my return my 125 gal with 40 gal dual refugium has 0.44 ppm prior dosing so how long till this liqiud works and do I have the instructions correct?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 13, 2017

The precipitated lanthanum carbonate/phosphate can be collected in a sock or other particulate filter, or left in the tank (not my preference).

wkscott · Mar 13, 2017

reeferbuddy215 said:
I found a bottle I had and I'm confused on using it cuz some ppl say you need a micron sock so I'm guessing it binds to the po4 then we have to filter it out? Cuz I just dropped like 15 drops some in my sump some in my return my 125 gal with 40 gal dual refugium has 0.44 ppm prior dosing so how long till this liqiud works and do I have the instructions correct?

The proper dosage is 5 ml per 20 gallons of system water. This will reduce phosphate by 1ppm. I'll let you do the math for your tank but do you really want to remove ALL of your phosphates?

wattson · Mar 13, 2017

what do you do when all your test say 0.00ppm of Po4 but you have algae on rocks and your glass has a film on it every 2-3 days,,how do you dose it then

wkscott · Mar 13, 2017

The algae is consuming the phosphate to grow. This is why your tests show zero. The algae is getting it as fast as it's being produced. Dose to remove 1ppm per day until you see the algae going away. Do not try to reduce MORE than 1pm per day.

GFO is probably a much better option.

wattson · Mar 13, 2017

sooooooo,what stregnth of dose of Po4 RX would you dose

wkscott · Mar 13, 2017

wattson said:
sooooooo,what stregnth of dose of Po4 RX would you dose

I use it on occasion. Use no more than 5ml per 20 gallons of total system water volume.

wattson · Mar 13, 2017

GFO is getting exspensive anymore,,looking for a different option and this maybe it,,I hope

wkscott · Mar 13, 2017

wattson said:
GFO is getting exspensive anymore,,looking for a different option and this maybe it,,I hope

In the long run, GFO will be less expensive than lanthanum chloride. It will constantly remove phosphate from your water before your algae has a chance to get it and you won't have to worry about dosing the lanthanum chloride and how much to use.

jason2459 · Mar 14, 2017

wattson said:
GFO is getting exspensive anymore,,looking for a different option and this maybe it,,I hope

You can regenerate GFO. I would suggest using HC GFO from like BRS or Aquamaxx.

I have in the past regenerated it up to 3 times and is still sitting wet in a container ready to go if needed.

I've known someone else that has done it well over 5 times.

This reduces the price of GFO considerably and IMO much safer. Plus, GFO can remove a lot more then just phosphates that could contribute to issues.

mazoli · Mar 14, 2017

jason2459 said:
You can regenerate GFO. I would suggest using HC GFO from like BRS or Aquamaxx.

I have in the past regenerated it up to 3 times and is still sitting wet in a container ready to go if needed.

I've known someone else that has done it well over 5 times.

This reduces the price of GFO considerably and IMO much safer. Plus, GFO can remove a lot more then just phosphates that could contribute to issues.

Are you soaking your used GFO in NaOH, or vinegar? What is your regeneration practice?

jason2459 · Mar 14, 2017

Soaked in vinegar to help remove any calcium precipitation of any kind and the soaked in NaOH stirred periodically. I did not use a reactor like in the original article.

I tried it once with regular GFO and it turned to mush which is why I recommend the much harder high capacity kind.