Poly Filter Question

chiefifd · 08/17/2016, 06:43 AM

Just wondering about using a Poly Filter in my 90 gallon display tank's sump. I have a algae problem and want to get it under control. I've cut back on feeding, using GFO with a Bulk Reef Supply reactor. So now I've been looking at using a Poly Filter in the sump to help drop phosphates. I have a Hanna Checker, it measures zero phosphates, which must not be measuring my tanks phosphates.

I was planing to use one 4x8 sheet of the Poly Filter in a high flow area in my sump.

At any rate anyone have the good or bad using a Poly Filter in their system?

Thanks

billdogg · 08/17/2016, 07:15 AM

Although it might work, it would be a rather expensive method of phosphate control. You are testing at Zero because all the phosphate in the system is being used by the algae. I would just stay on top of the GFO reactor - change it out a bit more often perhaps, and use good old fashioned manual removal. Eventually you will turn the corner on it.

hartin461 · 08/17/2016, 07:20 AM

Poly filter won`t do as much for phosphates as the gfo ,but they do absorb a lot of other nasties that can help from producing more phosphates. I always have one in my system somewhere,and find that they do best if you can put them somewhere that the water has to pass through it.
I keep an eye out for sales and discounts, then pick some extras up as they can be priced high.

Sk8r · 08/17/2016, 07:25 AM

Nowhere near enough to remove the phosphates, because it will sop up all the other problems first, and since 'organics' is one, it's at the back of the line. But a great idea for metals and organics. GFO, but renew the media monthly: that's the thing many people don't do: it saturates, then sits there helplessly if not renewed.

chiefifd · 08/17/2016, 12:16 PM

Thanks for the help, I've been changing out the GFO monthly, but two weeks ago I started to change out the GFO weekly. I'm using about 1 1/4 cups in the reactor now. Removing the algae manually also, the algae is starting to recede a little. I'm going to keep up the GFO changes weekly for now and see if the algae continues to decline.
I haven't added macro algae into my sump yet, but thats the next step I think. I have a 75 gallon homemade sump with about 30 gallons of water, and a LifeReef skimmer.
I'll try the Poly Filter for a little while, I'll keep an eye on the color change and probably change it out weekly.

08/17/2016, 06:43 AM	#1
chiefifd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Upper Michigan Posts: 312	Poly Filter Question Just wondering about using a Poly Filter in my 90 gallon display tank's sump. I have a algae problem and want to get it under control. I've cut back on feeding, using GFO with a Bulk Reef Supply reactor. So now I've been looking at using a Poly Filter in the sump to help drop phosphates. I have a Hanna Checker, it measures zero phosphates, which must not be measuring my tanks phosphates. I was planing to use one 4x8 sheet of the Poly Filter in a high flow area in my sump. At any rate anyone have the good or bad using a Poly Filter in their system? Thanks

08/17/2016, 07:15 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Although it might work, it would be a rather expensive method of phosphate control. You are testing at Zero because all the phosphate in the system is being used by the algae. I would just stay on top of the GFO reactor - change it out a bit more often perhaps, and use good old fashioned manual removal. Eventually you will turn the corner on it. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

08/17/2016, 07:25 AM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Nowhere near enough to remove the phosphates, because it will sop up all the other problems first, and since 'organics' is one, it's at the back of the line. But a great idea for metals and organics. GFO, but renew the media monthly: that's the thing many people don't do: it saturates, then sits there helplessly if not renewed. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/17/2016, 07:20 AM	#3
hartin461 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: northeast Posts: 145	Poly filter won`t do as much for phosphates as the gfo ,but they do absorb a lot of other nasties that can help from producing more phosphates. I always have one in my system somewhere,and find that they do best if you can put them somewhere that the water has to pass through it. I keep an eye out for sales and discounts, then pick some extras up as they can be priced high.

08/17/2016, 12:16 PM	#5
chiefifd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Upper Michigan Posts: 312	Thanks for the help, I've been changing out the GFO monthly, but two weeks ago I started to change out the GFO weekly. I'm using about 1 1/4 cups in the reactor now. Removing the algae manually also, the algae is starting to recede a little. I'm going to keep up the GFO changes weekly for now and see if the algae continues to decline. I haven't added macro algae into my sump yet, but thats the next step I think. I have a 75 gallon homemade sump with about 30 gallons of water, and a LifeReef skimmer. I'll try the Poly Filter for a little while, I'll keep an eye on the color change and probably change it out weekly.