Continuum Phos-corex

Tastee · 05/17/2018, 03:07 AM

Hi all, my LFS has suggested I use the above product to reduce Phosphates in my tank.

Has anyone else used this and have any feedback about it?

Thanks, Brad.

mcgyvr · 05/17/2018, 04:30 AM

What is your current phosphate level?
Why are you having a phosphate problem?
Typically its only 2 reasons... Overfeeding or rock is leaching it..

I've personally never used that product.. I've never used any phosphate reducing product for that matter..

Tastee · 05/17/2018, 04:44 AM

I think a large part of my issue is overfeeding and I am trying to correct that. Currently dealing with a GHA issue. The tank is currently 7 months old. Let me know if you want details of inhabitants, parameters etc or photos. The purpose of this post was just to get some feedback on the product in question.

Phosphates are currently reading above 0.24 ppm based on a Red Sea test. For the last 4 months it has been between 0.08 and 0.20. The RODI I produce, as well as the LFS RO water and our tap water tests around 0.08 ppm by the same kit.

mcgyvr · 05/17/2018, 06:49 AM

Its likely just a liquid lanthanum chloride solution and should be effective at binding and reducing phosphate..
Unlike GFO/Rowaphos,etc.. (granular products) the Phos-corex requires mechanical filtration/skimming to remove the bound phosphate/solution which for some may not be as easy as the granular products which just absorb it and can be thrown out.. THe granular product though is typically most effective when run in a reactor vs just hanging in a media bag..
If you have a mechanical filter (filter sock even) and skimmer the corex should work just fine for you.

I'm a little concerned about your test kit accuracy as I wouldn't expect tap water and RO/DI water to show the same but that isn't too uncommon for hobby grade tests at that minor level

Tastee · 05/18/2018, 01:49 AM

Thanks mcgyvr.

I do run a skimmer so may give the Phos-correx a go at some point.

My test kit is a Red Sea Phosphate Pro, so yes hobby grade only. That may indeed be it's margin of error.

I’ll try to get hold of some distilled water and see what that tests at.

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mcgyvr · 05/18/2018, 04:30 AM

Do you have a sump?
I'd also run a filter sock on the drain pipe when you start using that stuff to remove the bound phosphate better..

Tastee · 05/18/2018, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Do you have a sump?
I'd also run a filter sock on the drain pipe when you start using that stuff to remove the bound phosphate better..

Yes I do. My tank is a standard Red Sea Reefer 250. I have Marine Pure balls in the sump inlet into the small pore micron filter bags. My skimmer is in the next section, then into a coarse sponge before the sump return.

Do you think the micron bags will capture anything before the skimmer chamber? Or is the precipitate too small?

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mcgyvr · 05/18/2018, 05:57 AM

Well.. What is the micron rating of the bag?
I think you would need something 10 micron or smaller for the precipitate..
Maybe even better with a 1 micron bag
But your phosphate level really isn't that bad so you likely don't need to be aggressive with it..

I personally wouldn't even use the product and would just work on fixing my overfeeding and let it drop over time..

Tastee · 05/18/2018, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Well.. What is the micron rating of the bag?
I think you would need something 10 micron or smaller for the precipitate..
Maybe even better with a 1 micron bag
But your phosphate level really isn't that bad so you likely don't need to be aggressive with it..

I personally wouldn't even use the product and would just work on fixing my overfeeding and let it drop over time..

Micron rating not sure. I am just using the bags that came with the tank so will need to research them.

Fixing overfeeding is certainly good advice which I am already on board with. Better now than 4 weeks ago. I am currently running Phosguard as a temporary measure in a media bag (not a reactor) so that will hopefully be enough to get me to a stable point.

Thanks for the advice, greatly appreciated.

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mcgyvr · 05/18/2018, 08:03 AM

Yeah if you are already using Phosguard I don't really see a need to switch unless thats not showing a reduction in phosphates (which it should)..

Dr RBG · 05/19/2018, 05:33 PM

red sea socks are likely 150 to 225 micron socks I think you can also get 100 micron

05/17/2018, 03:07 AM	#1
Tastee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 277	Continuum Phos-corex Hi all, my LFS has suggested I use the above product to reduce Phosphates in my tank. Has anyone else used this and have any feedback about it? Thanks, Brad.

05/17/2018, 04:30 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	What is your current phosphate level? Why are you having a phosphate problem? Typically its only 2 reasons... Overfeeding or rock is leaching it.. I've personally never used that product.. I've never used any phosphate reducing product for that matter.. __________________ Who me?

05/17/2018, 06:49 AM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Its likely just a liquid lanthanum chloride solution and should be effective at binding and reducing phosphate.. Unlike GFO/Rowaphos,etc.. (granular products) the Phos-corex requires mechanical filtration/skimming to remove the bound phosphate/solution which for some may not be as easy as the granular products which just absorb it and can be thrown out.. THe granular product though is typically most effective when run in a reactor vs just hanging in a media bag.. If you have a mechanical filter (filter sock even) and skimmer the corex should work just fine for you. I'm a little concerned about your test kit accuracy as I wouldn't expect tap water and RO/DI water to show the same but that isn't too uncommon for hobby grade tests at that minor level __________________ Who me?

05/18/2018, 04:30 AM	#6
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Do you have a sump? I'd also run a filter sock on the drain pipe when you start using that stuff to remove the bound phosphate better.. __________________ Who me?

05/18/2018, 05:57 AM	#8
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Well.. What is the micron rating of the bag? I think you would need something 10 micron or smaller for the precipitate.. Maybe even better with a 1 micron bag But your phosphate level really isn't that bad so you likely don't need to be aggressive with it.. I personally wouldn't even use the product and would just work on fixing my overfeeding and let it drop over time.. __________________ Who me?

05/17/2018, 04:44 AM	#3
Tastee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 277	I think a large part of my issue is overfeeding and I am trying to correct that. Currently dealing with a GHA issue. The tank is currently 7 months old. Let me know if you want details of inhabitants, parameters etc or photos. The purpose of this post was just to get some feedback on the product in question. Phosphates are currently reading above 0.24 ppm based on a Red Sea test. For the last 4 months it has been between 0.08 and 0.20. The RODI I produce, as well as the LFS RO water and our tap water tests around 0.08 ppm by the same kit.

05/18/2018, 01:49 AM	#5
Tastee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 277	Thanks mcgyvr. I do run a skimmer so may give the Phos-correx a go at some point. My test kit is a Red Sea Phosphate Pro, so yes hobby grade only. That may indeed be it's margin of error. I’ll try to get hold of some distilled water and see what that tests at. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

05/18/2018, 08:03 AM	#10
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Yeah if you are already using Phosguard I don't really see a need to switch unless thats not showing a reduction in phosphates (which it should).. __________________ Who me?

05/19/2018, 05:33 PM	#11
Dr RBG Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: New England Posts: 163	red sea socks are likely 150 to 225 micron socks I think you can also get 100 micron