About five days ago, I finally added a Two Little Fishes Phosban Reactor 550 to my 20 gallon IM Nuvo. I use SeaChem's Phosguard media in the bottom of the reactor and SeaChem's Carbon Matrix in a separated compartment at the top of the reactor. My Phosphate levels rose to .16 ppm.
Before adding the Phosban Reactor, my phosphate level was only .02 - .08 ppm using Red Sea No2:Po4-X regularly. I suspended using the No2:Po4-X.
Two questions:
— Why would my phosphate level RISE given all elements the same, EXCEPT for the use of the No2:Po4-X?
—Is if a good idea to have the Phosguard in the bottom of the reactor AND the carbon in the top? This seemed like a good idea rather than mixing them as I've read that carbon exhausts more quickly than the phosphate media.
Thanks for the insight in advance.
Stephen
Tank Equipment:Innovative Marine 20 gallon Nuvo Fusion Nano20
IM Ghost Series Desktop Skimmer
IM In-Tank Magnafuge Refugium Lamp
IM MiniMax Media Reactor
Two Little Fishes Phoseban Reactor 550
EchoTech Marine Radion XR15P
EchoTech Marine Vortech MP10w
Apex, Jr.
DDR
Dos
Inhabitants:
Corals:
3 Ricordia
3 Zoanthus
1 Duncan
1 Hammer Coral
1 Mushroom
1 Green Tip Torch
Invertebrates:
1 Rose Tip Anemone
1 Carpet Anemone
1 Bubble Tip Anemone
1 Long Tentacle Anemone
4 Snails
5 Hermits
Fish:
2 Ocellaris
1 Coral Beauty Angel
1 Midas Blennie
Parameters:Established: August 6, 2015
Sal: 31.4 ppm
PH: 8
Ca: 480 ppm
Mag: 1400 ppm
Nitrate: 1.25 ppm
Phosphate: .16 ppm
Alk: 11 dKH