RowaPhos and Hair Algae?

GlassReef · 08/07/2009, 07:40 AM

Has anyone noticed a correlation between the use of RowaPhos and an outbreak of HA? I had been using BRS's HC GFO and never had a problem with HA. Then I bought into a group buy for RowaPhos, due to the great price. Since then I've been having a bit of a problem with a short brownish green HA all over my sand bed and most of the rock. All my params are excellent. The only thing that corresponds with the HA start is the RowaPhos. So, again my question, as this happened to anyone else?

Thanks for any input.

The0wn4g3 · 08/07/2009, 12:17 PM

Yes, the LFS I one worked for order like a 5 pound bucket of RowaPhos at one time. Every tank we used it in had a massive hair algae outbreak within a month. We took out all the rowaphos and after a few good water changes the algae didn't return. I'm pretty sure at one point my boss contacted the manufacturer and found out there was a "bad batch" that got out, similar to the "bad batch" of IO salt I suppose.

So yes, you aren't just imagining things. There is a correlation.

GlassReef · 08/07/2009, 01:14 PM

Do you remember how long ago that was?

The0wn4g3 · 08/07/2009, 05:59 PM

Hmm... it was quite awhile ago. Maybe up to a year. We stopped using it after the hair algae outbreak. We used Seachem's PhosGuard from then on. Although I've read/heard a lot about the "aluminum" problem of PhosGuard, we never had issues on the dozens of tanks we maintained, and I've never had a problem with it in my home tanks.

luther1200 · 08/07/2009, 08:20 PM

FWIW I always had algae problems when I ran ROWAphos. I switched to BRS HC GFO and it totally wiped it all out in under 2 months. I had been trying for almost 2 yrs to get rid of this brown wafer algae I had. Nothing worked but BRS hc gfo. The ROWAphos had zero effect and I always had algae when I used it. Not only the BWA but Red Turf algae also.

And it wasn't a bad batch I got, because I ran it continuosly for over 2 years. And still had problems, but I couldn't figure out what was causing the problems. As soon as I stopped running ROWAphos and started running BRS HC GFO my tank never looked better.

GlassReef · 08/07/2009, 10:46 PM

Thanks, all - exactly what I was looking for. It's back to BRS HC GFO tomorrow!

luther1200 · 08/08/2009, 10:51 AM

I was actually very suprised when I finally put 2 and 2 together. And that was the only thing I changed so I am %100 positive thats what was going on. I am not sure if it was a by product of using the ROWAphos itself or that it just didn't remove any or enough PO4.

jjk_reef00 · 08/09/2009, 04:55 AM

I also had and still have a hair algea problem with ROWAphos. I thought that was the best stuff you could buy.

luther1200 · 08/09/2009, 12:40 PM

So did I. Until I started using BRS HC GFO.

luther1200 · 08/09/2009, 12:44 PM

Here is a before picture from when I ran ROWAphos.

Here is an after picture of just under 2 months of BRS HC GFO use. The Brown Wafer Algae literally fell off in big clumps.

You can still see some of the algae in the second pic. There is even less now since that picture is about a week old.

trwells · 08/09/2009, 02:34 PM

I have used ROWAphos for a while and had problems with brown wafer and red algae. Never thought the Rowa could be the cause.

You guys have convinced me to switch. What is the BRS HC GFO and where can I get it? I tried searching but I am unsure who makes it.

Thanks

GlassReef · 08/09/2009, 03:34 PM

Here ya go: BRS HC GFO

trwells · 08/09/2009, 03:51 PM

Awesome, Thanks.

luther1200 · 08/09/2009, 07:09 PM

I tried everything you could think of trying to get rid of the brown wafer algae. I was shocked when it started just falling off when I switched GFO.

I have also found that Sally Lightfoot crabs eat it. But they couldn't make a dent in the amount I used to have. But between them and the BRS HC GFO its starting to go away finally.

trwells · 08/09/2009, 08:02 PM

I had a lot, but the main thing it did was out compete coralline for real estate in several places. Plus it wasn't my favorite look. I solved the problem when I got a new tank.

luther1200 · 08/09/2009, 08:20 PM

I was pretty close to ripping this tannk apart over it. It didn't bother the corals, it was just ugly. And it was so annoying to put a lot of time and effort into an ugly brown tank.

whatcaneyedo · 08/10/2009, 12:14 AM

This is quite interesting. I never have had a problem in the past with hair algae so I never bothered measuring my phosphate levels until about a year ago out of curiosity. With an elos kit they were .75 last August! I've been running at least 250ml of rowaphos and changing it at least every 4 weeks since then (I've also bought a larger skimmer and doubled my water changes). I've brought my phosphate level down to .01 so far but now I'm having a lot of trouble keeping hair algae under control. I find that if I blow torch it off a rock really well it wont come back but the amount in the tank that I cant torch just keeps growing and thriving. Once my current supply of rowaphos is finished I'm going to give some of the BRS HCGFO a shot and see how it does.

luther1200 · 08/10/2009, 02:25 PM

I think you will be glad you did.

Necsones · 08/10/2009, 02:31 PM

I was beating on some alage in my tank, and after i started useing Rowaphos the problem has exploded. Not saying that is was the rowaphos that caused it but what everyone is saying, sounds to be what happened to me

Shaka Bra · 08/14/2009, 10:35 PM

My Phospahates levels were at .03 measured by Salifert. Purchased a Phosban reactor two weeks ago and added Rowaphos. Levels are still at .03 two weeks later with the addition of new brown hair algae. Will be switching to Phosban or BRS.

fijiblue · 08/15/2009, 03:06 AM

I had the opposite happen - I started using BRS media and had a HUGE outbreak of algae! It is not like BRS is a miracle media (as many of you are leading to). It is the same iron oxide as everyone else. The difference between BRS and ROWA is that one is an iron oxide and the other is an iron hydroxide.

Since the incident, I started using aluminum oxide (white media) and have had better results...FWIW

Sir Edward · 08/15/2009, 05:55 AM

I have been looking for a Phosban Reactor, I am building a 220. All the places I have looked seems to only have them for tanks up to 150. Will that still work for me?

lbj · 08/15/2009, 08:16 AM

sir edward you will need 2 for your tank ..? i used 3

luther1200 · 08/15/2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fijiblue
It is not like BRS is a miracle media (as many of you are leading to).

I am not trying to say it a miracle. I am just telling my experience with BRS HC GFO and almost every other iron based GFO on the market. With pictures as proof, and I have more pictures if anybody is interested. And I know it was the GFO that made the difference because it was the only thing that changed. And since I am not the only 1 who had similar issues I would say that there has to be more to it than just a coincidence. I don't necessarily think the ROWAphos was causing the algae, but I do know that it did little to nothing to get rid of the algae. And I know that running half the max dose of BRS HC GFO did in 2 months what Phosban, PURAphos, ROWAphos,etc, couldn't do in 2 years. But to be perfectly fair I didn't try Phosban, PURAphos, and a few others as long as I had been running the ROWAphos. But I did run them for at least a month or 2 each and saw zero results. Where the BRS HC GFO was amazing in that amount of time. I also am not talking about BRS pellets or regular GFO because that I never did try. I am only referring the the high capacity GFO from BRS.

Doug864 · 08/15/2009, 10:19 AM

It is not like BRS is a miracle media (as many of you are leading to).

Not one person said it was a (miracle media) except you!
And so far you are the only one that has had a bad experience with BRS. Maybe all these reefers praising BRS work for BRS

Regards,
Doug

08/07/2009, 07:40 AM	#1
GlassReef Got Reef Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida Posts: 2,501	RowaPhos and Hair Algae? Has anyone noticed a correlation between the use of RowaPhos and an outbreak of HA? I had been using BRS's HC GFO and never had a problem with HA. Then I bought into a group buy for RowaPhos, due to the great price. Since then I've been having a bit of a problem with a short brownish green HA all over my sand bed and most of the rock. All my params are excellent. The only thing that corresponds with the HA start is the RowaPhos. So, again my question, as this happened to anyone else? Thanks for any input. __________________ Tom No matter how much you try to push the envelope, it remains stationary.

08/07/2009, 12:17 PM	#2
The0wn4g3 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Auburn, AL Posts: 1,124	Yes, the LFS I one worked for order like a 5 pound bucket of RowaPhos at one time. Every tank we used it in had a massive hair algae outbreak within a month. We took out all the rowaphos and after a few good water changes the algae didn't return. I'm pretty sure at one point my boss contacted the manufacturer and found out there was a "bad batch" that got out, similar to the "bad batch" of IO salt I suppose. So yes, you aren't just imagining things. There is a correlation. __________________ The 0ne. The 0nly. The0wn4g3. Current Tank Info: 40 gallon Rimless- 39Wx4 T5HO on Ice-Cap 660, 29gallon sump, DAS EX-2, Deltec Phosphate Reactor, Koralia 3, 50lbs LR

08/07/2009, 01:14 PM	#3
GlassReef Got Reef Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida Posts: 2,501	Do you remember how long ago that was? __________________ Tom No matter how much you try to push the envelope, it remains stationary.

08/07/2009, 05:59 PM	#4
The0wn4g3 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Auburn, AL Posts: 1,124	Hmm... it was quite awhile ago. Maybe up to a year. We stopped using it after the hair algae outbreak. We used Seachem's PhosGuard from then on. Although I've read/heard a lot about the "aluminum" problem of PhosGuard, we never had issues on the dozens of tanks we maintained, and I've never had a problem with it in my home tanks. __________________ The 0ne. The 0nly. The0wn4g3. Current Tank Info: 40 gallon Rimless- 39Wx4 T5HO on Ice-Cap 660, 29gallon sump, DAS EX-2, Deltec Phosphate Reactor, Koralia 3, 50lbs LR

08/07/2009, 08:20 PM	#5
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	FWIW I always had algae problems when I ran ROWAphos. I switched to BRS HC GFO and it totally wiped it all out in under 2 months. I had been trying for almost 2 yrs to get rid of this brown wafer algae I had. Nothing worked but BRS hc gfo. The ROWAphos had zero effect and I always had algae when I used it. Not only the BWA but Red Turf algae also. And it wasn't a bad batch I got, because I ran it continuosly for over 2 years. And still had problems, but I couldn't figure out what was causing the problems. As soon as I stopped running ROWAphos and started running BRS HC GFO my tank never looked better. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

08/07/2009, 10:46 PM	#6
GlassReef Got Reef Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida Posts: 2,501	Thanks, all - exactly what I was looking for. It's back to BRS HC GFO tomorrow! __________________ Tom No matter how much you try to push the envelope, it remains stationary.

08/08/2009, 10:51 AM	#7
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	I was actually very suprised when I finally put 2 and 2 together. And that was the only thing I changed so I am %100 positive thats what was going on. I am not sure if it was a by product of using the ROWAphos itself or that it just didn't remove any or enough PO4. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

08/09/2009, 04:55 AM	#8
jjk_reef00 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,476	I also had and still have a hair algea problem with ROWAphos. I thought that was the best stuff you could buy. __________________ I need more fish tank appliances! --Ed Current Tank Info: 375 FOWLR

08/09/2009, 12:40 PM	#9
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	So did I. Until I started using BRS HC GFO. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

08/09/2009, 12:44 PM	#10
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	Here is a before picture from when I ran ROWAphos. Here is an after picture of just under 2 months of BRS HC GFO use. The Brown Wafer Algae literally fell off in big clumps. You can still see some of the algae in the second pic. There is even less now since that picture is about a week old. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

08/09/2009, 02:34 PM	#11
trwells Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lubbock, Tx Posts: 248	I have used ROWAphos for a while and had problems with brown wafer and red algae. Never thought the Rowa could be the cause. You guys have convinced me to switch. What is the BRS HC GFO and where can I get it? I tried searching but I am unsure who makes it. Thanks __________________ "I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite." - G. K. Chesterton Current Tank Info: 39 gallon CAD Lights

08/09/2009, 03:34 PM	#12
GlassReef Got Reef Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida Posts: 2,501	Here ya go: BRS HC GFO __________________ Tom No matter how much you try to push the envelope, it remains stationary.

08/09/2009, 03:51 PM	#13
trwells Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lubbock, Tx Posts: 248	Awesome, Thanks. __________________ "I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite." - G. K. Chesterton Current Tank Info: 39 gallon CAD Lights

08/09/2009, 07:09 PM	#14
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	I tried everything you could think of trying to get rid of the brown wafer algae. I was shocked when it started just falling off when I switched GFO. I have also found that Sally Lightfoot crabs eat it. But they couldn't make a dent in the amount I used to have. But between them and the BRS HC GFO its starting to go away finally. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

08/09/2009, 08:02 PM	#15
trwells Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lubbock, Tx Posts: 248	I had a lot, but the main thing it did was out compete coralline for real estate in several places. Plus it wasn't my favorite look. I solved the problem when I got a new tank. __________________ "I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite." - G. K. Chesterton Current Tank Info: 39 gallon CAD Lights

08/09/2009, 08:20 PM	#16
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	I was pretty close to ripping this tannk apart over it. It didn't bother the corals, it was just ugly. And it was so annoying to put a lot of time and effort into an ugly brown tank. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

08/10/2009, 12:14 AM	#17
whatcaneyedo Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Prince George, BC, Canada Posts: 729	This is quite interesting. I never have had a problem in the past with hair algae so I never bothered measuring my phosphate levels until about a year ago out of curiosity. With an elos kit they were .75 last August! I've been running at least 250ml of rowaphos and changing it at least every 4 weeks since then (I've also bought a larger skimmer and doubled my water changes). I've brought my phosphate level down to .01 so far but now I'm having a lot of trouble keeping hair algae under control. I find that if I blow torch it off a rock really well it wont come back but the amount in the tank that I cant torch just keeps growing and thriving. Once my current supply of rowaphos is finished I'm going to give some of the BRS HCGFO a shot and see how it does. __________________ 5'x3'x2' custom in-wall, LumenMax MH lighting, closed loop OM 4-Way, PM Bullet 3, PM 622 Ca Reactor, Apex, Tunzes, Reeflo Dart and Hammerhead. Current Tank Info: 225gal mixed predatory reef

08/10/2009, 02:25 PM	#18
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	I think you will be glad you did. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

08/10/2009, 02:31 PM	#19
Necsones Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yonkers, NY Posts: 122	I was beating on some alage in my tank, and after i started useing Rowaphos the problem has exploded. Not saying that is was the rowaphos that caused it but what everyone is saying, sounds to be what happened to me

08/14/2009, 10:35 PM	#20
Shaka Bra Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tucson Posts: 9	My Phospahates levels were at .03 measured by Salifert. Purchased a Phosban reactor two weeks ago and added Rowaphos. Levels are still at .03 two weeks later with the addition of new brown hair algae. Will be switching to Phosban or BRS.

08/15/2009, 03:06 AM	#21
fijiblue Moved On Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: unfortunately here Posts: 1,895	I had the opposite happen - I started using BRS media and had a HUGE outbreak of algae! It is not like BRS is a miracle media (as many of you are leading to). It is the same iron oxide as everyone else. The difference between BRS and ROWA is that one is an iron oxide and the other is an iron hydroxide. Since the incident, I started using aluminum oxide (white media) and have had better results...FWIW

08/15/2009, 05:55 AM	#22
Sir Edward Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Rome, New York Posts: 168	I have been looking for a Phosban Reactor, I am building a 220. All the places I have looked seems to only have them for tanks up to 150. Will that still work for me? __________________ 220 reef tank Current Tank Info: 220 reef tank, with 2 29gal sumps

08/15/2009, 08:16 AM	#23
lbj Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Heath, Ohio Posts: 89	sir edward you will need 2 for your tank ..? i used 3

08/15/2009, 10:19 AM	#25
Doug864 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: FL Posts: 631	It is not like BRS is a miracle media (as many of you are leading to). Not one person said it was a (miracle media) except you! And so far you are the only one that has had a bad experience with BRS. Maybe all these reefers praising BRS work for BRS Regards, Doug