Poly Filter?

[MaineReef22]

I just added some poly filter today because my doc's are kinda high. If you have used it tell me what you think about it, also how long can i use it for and is it alright to clean it and reuse it?

[John Zillmer]

I've used a zillion of these over the years, and I'm convinced they work. They do remove some phosphates (though not as much as GFO or even old-school aluminum media), but mostly just seem to extend the amount of time the tank 'looks good' between water changes...it is hard to describe exactly. Like activated carbon, I guess. I rinse them every couple days/week, and run them until they turn really nasty dark brown -- a month or two in my dirty tank.

[Ritten]

i've used a zillion of these over the years, and i'm convinced they work. They do remove some phosphates (though not as much as gfo or even old-school aluminum media), but mostly just seem to extend the amount of time the tank 'looks good' between water changes...it is hard to describe exactly. Like activated carbon, i guess. I rinse them every couple days/week, and run them until they turn really nasty dark brown -- a month or two in my dirty tank.

x2

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

FWIW, I do not believe they (or any commercial organic polymer material) will bind any inorganic phosphate from seawater. I’ve intensely studied the way polymers bind phosphate for many years, and they just cannot do so at the low phosphate concentrations and high concentrations of competing ions (chloride and sulfate) that are present in seawater.

But it will bind some organic matter, as will GAC and other polymers, and one might see a small reduction in phosphate as you remove some organic matter that contains phosphorous.

[MaineReef22]

FWIW, I do not believe they (or any commercial organic polymer material) will bind any inorganic phosphate from seawater. I’ve intensely studied the way polymers bind phosphate for many years, and they just cannot do so at the low phosphate concentrations and high concentrations of competing ions (chloride and sulfate) that are present in seawater.

But it will bind some organic matter, as will GAC and other polymers, and one might see a small reduction in phosphate as you remove some organic matter that contains phosphorous.

so what do you reccomend for lowering phosphates?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

For a binder, I recommend GFO.

Many other methods are also useful: organic carbon dosing, skimmers, etc. :)

These have more:

Phosphate and the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners,
Part 4: What Chemicals May Detrimentally Accumulate
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php

Iron Oxide Hydroxide (GFO) Phosphate Binders
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.htm

[MaineReef22]

for a binder, i recommend gfo.

Many other methods are also useful: Organic carbon dosing, skimmers, etc. :)

these have more:

Phosphate and the reef aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php

the “how to” guide to reef aquarium chemistry for beginners,
part 4: What chemicals may detrimentally accumulate
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php

iron oxide hydroxide (gfo) phosphate binders
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.htm

gfo? Sorry lol

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Granular Ferric Oxide. :)

There are tons of brands, such as Rowaphos, Phosban, and bulk suppliers such as Bulk Reef Supply. I detail what it is and how it works in the above article. All are red to brown to black. It is never white, which is usually aluminum oxide which I'd avoid due to potential for released aluminum.

[MaineReef22]

Granular Ferric Oxide. :)

There are tons of brands, such as Rowaphos, Phosban, and bulk suppliers such as Bulk Reef Supply. I detail what it is and how it works in the above article. All are red to brown to black. It is never white, which is usually aluminum oxide which I'd avoid due to potential for released aluminum.

Ok i knew that, What do you reccomend for getting rid of nitrates. I have a little cyano on my sand bed

[fishchef]

I've used poly's for years and still do. They can be cleaned/ regenerated by soaking in Hydrogen Peroxide once or twice and rinsed with dechlorinated tap water as per manufacturers instructions. Also I buy the larger ones because they're considered industrial and used to purify water in hospital labs. I use Purigen instead of carbon because I like the regeneration thing as in the polyfilter. I did have a low PO4 issue a few years ago and started using Phosban to clean-up the extra. Of course nothing beats those regular water changes to keep nitrates low.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

For nitrate? Organic carbon dosing, macroalgae (both of these are good for phosphate too), skimming, denitrators, and deep sand beds/live rock all work. I prefer the first 3.

This has more:

Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm