Seachem Phosguard

rogerrgr · Oct 18, 2015

I recently won a big bucket of Seachem Phosguard at our club's frag swap. I'm wanting to try this on my seahorse tank in a media bag in the sump. Does this stuff work like GFO to remove phosphates? And should I start off with half the recommended amount like I would for the GFO?
I'm having a hard time lowering phosphates even with 12g a week water changes in a 60g tank due to all the feedings of mysis. Yes, I'm using RO/DI water with 0TDS.
Any advice is appreciated, Thanks!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 19, 2015

Yes, it works just like GFO and will help a lot. I is made from aluminum oxide instead of iron hydroxide/oxide.

Be sure to rinse it well before use, and if soft corals/leathers close up, try using less as aluminum irritate some corals.

rogerrgr · Oct 19, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Yes, it works just like GFO and will help a lot. IT is made from aluminum oxide instead of iron hydroxide/oxide.

Be sure to rinse it well before use, and if soft corals/leathers close up, try using less as aluminum irritate some corals.

Ok thanks, I will! I'm always cautious of trying something new.

Ebone · Oct 19, 2015

I have used it before getting a gfo reactor just like you said in a media bag.... worked great... just make sure you rinse well

steve&mari · Oct 19, 2015

I use it in a reactor with matrix carbon very happy with it and started with half as you said. Imho seachem has a pretty good product line. I also run their matrix biological media in a reactor and purigen in another reactor on our reef.

rogerrgr · Oct 19, 2015

Ok, thanks. I'll start off using less to see if anything is bothered by it. It's my seahorse tank, so there isn't much coral in there, just a little piece of Kenya tree that my wife won in a raffle lol.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 19, 2015

Sounds good.

Happy Reefing.

NanaReefer · Oct 19, 2015

I've been using PhosGuard for 6yrs. Great product!

ThePriceSeliger · Oct 19, 2015

I like PhosGuard more. The spheres help promote water flow. The problem I have with GFO is that I couldn't get a reasonable tumble in the media because it's so dense. May just be my experience with my crummy media reactor, but just my observation. I think Randy mentioned Phosguard leaching Aluminum into the tank, while GFO is known to leach Iron into the tank.

ReeferDave01 · Apr 22, 2017

I just got a reactor specifically for Phosguard. Instructions say ~1 cup for every 75 gallons. I have about 350 total volume & started with 1 cup. I'm planning on adding 1 cup a week until I get to 4 cups. Question for those using this product - how frequently do I replace it, and should I replace all 4 cups at once or what? Also, does this have any affect on refugium chato?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 23, 2017

It reduces phosphahte and you should use an appropriate amount to keep phosphate at an appropriate level. Say, 0.02 ppm or so. Too low can be as bad or worse than too high. How often you replace it depends on whether you have excessively elevated phosphate or not. At high levels it will deplete in a day. At very low levels it might last a few weeks.