Do all SPS keepers run phosphate reactors?

[xenon]

Unfortunately not many test kits on the market are capable of telling us exactly how much phosphates we have in our water.

I was wondering if I should setup a reactor to see if my SPS will color up.

Do all you SPS guys use phosphate reactors?

[gskidmor]

I don't - I dose vodka. If I had a really big system (180+), I probably wouldn't do either.

[xenon]

There are people that have nano tanks that have reported oxygen depletion when using phos ban on smaller systems.

Anybody know if this is true?

I was also wondering if rowaphos is more potent than phosban.

I was told it sucks phosphates faster and it has ability to bring down phosphates to 0. The big drawback is that it brings PH down more then phosban does.

Also if you keep SPS, rowaphos can SHOCK the SPS to RTN because of sudden removal of phosphates?

[mirkus]

do you mean o2 depletion with vodka?

[whirley]

I don't use a phosban reactor on my 90.

The phosban reactor is used just as insurance, IMHO. If you've got high phospates, you should fixed the cause, not the symptom

[palawan]

No phosban here either. I keep all SPS with some zoas. I do run a kalk and calcium reactor. My colors are good IMO.

[flyyyguy]

I dont. Nor do I run a refugium of any kind nor dose any carbon source.

Just an efficient BB system with a skimmer. I can keep my phosphate level wherever i want it, simply by feeding more or less or skimming wetter or dryer. I do dose aminos daily, but other than that just Rods food, all the fish can eat.

[Oldude]

I don't have a phosban reactor but I do carbon & AA dosing

[ReefBum]

Originally posted by xenon
Also if you keep SPS, rowaphos can SHOCK the SPS to RTN because of sudden removal of phosphates?

This is how my former tank crashed. you have to start slowly on an established tank. I started using one on my new tank right from the start with good results.

[Znut Reefer]

Don't use one here either.

[lovethereefer25]

Don't use one on my 55

[Reefflections]

I used to,but to expensive in a large system.And media needs to be replaced to often.I dose all l three carbons,and a Matrix media reactor now.Media can last as long as a year.I have no type od algae anywhere,and water a lot clear these days.Which in turns making corals grow a lot faster and color has been enhanced with this method.It's not for everyone,because have to be very carefull when dosing.

[JMBoehling]

Tried it, but it didn't like the results (ALK dropped and SPS RTN'd). I fluidize Purigen and that is it.. No GAC or GFO's for me...

I'm barebottom as well with lots of flow, but do run a fuge with Chaeto for natural export.

Later,

Jim

[xenon]

Wow.

I was not expecting these responses.

I used a salifert test kit and did the higher sensitivity test and I could not get a reading so I guess I don't need it.

I just figured all SPS guys used it as insurance.

[Reefflections]

What I've scene on these boards and posts here,about Salifert tests kits.The Salifert isn't that good as for a true reading.I had one and it ALWAYS would read zero PO 4 levels.Yet seeing the tank showed me different things.Probably the Hanna is the best test kit,to get in the ball park range.But folks have issues with them also.

[dme330i]

Stopped GFO when I started carbon dosing.

[gcarroll]

Originally posted by xenon
Also if you keep SPS, rowaphos can SHOCK the SPS to RTN because of sudden removal of phosphates?

Personally I feel that this is a myth!

I still believe it is the alk suppression that causes problems, not the sudden reduction of phosphates. The sudden reduction of alk also shows in the lower ph.

Last night after not running GFO for 2 months (laziness) I used the Hanna to find phosphates were .21 (very high for me). I used a full jar of Phosar HC in my phosban reactor. 24 hours later, my phosphate tests at .02. The big thing I did is before turning the reactor on I added an extra 4 oz of Calxmax 2 part to boost the cal and alk.

[Nuuze]

Can GFO falsify Alk test readings? I went from .19 to 0.02 in a few days a couple weeks ago and some of my corals bleached and some bases turned white. Alk test showed 10 before and 10 now. But I do notice lower pH on my ACjr. Ph was normally 8.0-8.1 now 7.8-7.9.

[xenon]

Maybe the trick is to use smaller amounts and lower phos over a 1-2week period instead of 24hrs.

Nothing good happens fast in this hobby... remember?

[Reefflections]

What I remember when using the PO4 removers.To go SLOW.if not RTN and STN can take place.It's ALWAYS good to slow on adding anything to a system.It gives time for the corals to adjusts to changes.It's the same way when carbon dosing.It's l like you stripped the water to fast.Everyone has to keep in mind here.When doing any changes to a system it's always best to go slow.You can always add more in needed.

[Reefflections]

I also agree with Greg C as for it's the Alk is the factor here.Because when ALK changes to fast,it's a bad thing for corals. Just take it slow and test as you go.There are a lot of post on SPS forums and the Chemistry forums as for using PO4 removers.It just been a long time now since I've used it.

[Nuuze]

I followed the recommended amount the first week for rowaphos. The second week I reduced it by half.

[sprite]

i have a tlf reactor but i use it for the zeo stones on my ap24 before that i used rowaphos in a mesh bag in my sump

[dadonoflaw]

i use it. but i would say if you control input you should be ok. i just sweat less with it on there

[power boat jim]

I dont use a phosphatereactor and, so long as we are making confessions, I have never checked my magnesium level either. There I said it and I feel better.