Weekly Discussion Thread - Phosphate Control

[OneDummHikk]

What are some different methods that can be used to attempt to remove Phosphates from a system?

Phosban Reactors
Macroalgae (refugium)
UV sterilizer/skimmer set up.

Any other ways? And, what are some of the benefits and drawbacks of each approach?

[Jnicho]

I'll be interested to see what comes of this one...primarily because I've given up on the algal approach...I tore my fuge down a while back and I'm using it as a frag tank now...I personally dose kalk 24/7 for topoff which helps precipitate phos and also run some GFO in a DIY reactor...I find the reactor easier to maintain than the fuge...the fuge didn't seem to have a huge effect (although some of the species of algae I had grew very well) and IME needed more maintenance than it was worth.

On a side note here is an interesting thread/test I read recently on PhosBan (aka GFO):

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1182318

[crvz]

One thing I was successful with was rock cooking, and while I hate the name used to describe the process, it was rather effective. Removing rock from the tank and sticking it in non-lit tubs to promote bacteria growth and discourage photosynthetic algaes, it worked well for me. Of course the main drawback is that the tank has to be, at least partially, broken down during the time the rocks are separated (5 months for me, thanks).

[Neuticle]

Originally Posted by Jnicho

On a side note here is an interesting thread/test I read recently on PhosBan (aka GFO):

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1182318

wow, that's really cool, thanks for sharing!

[Antdizzle]

ok for the newb can someone explain to me what rock cooking is ? or the process, or was it just explained to me in the post b4 mine by crvz ? I was working at the shop last night havint talked about phosphates which translate into algae problems i brought home media bags and some seachem phos guard filled the bags and stuck them in the back of my filters(1 ea.). Good idea or not so good ?

[crvz]

I just introduced it, AD. Here's a link for you.

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f1...ock-66551.html

not sure if it's a great idea to just dump media in your tank, depends on how much you used, though. what exactly did you buy?

[ScruffyRubicon]

Since I have recently started cooking rock myself, I read the cooking rock thread pretty closely. One thing I did not see(I could have missed): How do you know when the rock is ready?

[Antdizzle]

i used 1 cup as the instructions said, they say to use it 4 days at a time. (seachem phos guard).

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by ScruffyRubicon

Since I have recently started cooking rock myself, I read the cooking rock thread pretty closely. One thing I did not see(I could have missed): How do you know when the rock is ready?

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-07/nftt/index.php

Tested phosphates on the bucket. Written by Hop

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by Antdizzle

i used 1 cup as the instructions said, they say to use it 4 days at a time. (seachem phos guard).

Follow the directions on the time frame. Just make sure its in your filter and not just directly into the tank.

[ScruffyRubicon]

Originally Posted by OneDummHikk

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-07/nftt/index.php

Tested phosphates on the bucket. Written by Hop

I even read that!

[OneDummHikk]

Rock Cooking.

Is Cooking the rock a good long term plan for controlling Phosphates? Or, is it indicative of a problem in limiting import during the life cycle of the rocks in the tank?

Question about rock cooking. Does anybody know if there is any detriment to using a DIY salt mix to cook the rocks with at a lower salinity? Unrelated to this thread but have been trying to find an answer to that.

[Jnicho]

So I'm not saying cooking rock is a bad idea (I've done it and advocate it)...but in the "PhosBan thread" I posted earlier his findings indicated that with continued use of GFO media it appeared that his rock was leaching phos which he continued to remove with the media...so one would assume that if you continue to remove the phos from the water column the rock will continue to leach until such time that the water and rock are at the same level...does it stand to reason that over time one could "purge" most of the phos from the rock in this way?

[OneDummHikk]

J, they both work on the same premise. You create a low P environment in the water, the P will travel to it for equilibrium (there is a tom-like word for it but I don't remember what it is). The difference is primarily in how you are creating that low P environment. Water changes (cooking the rock) or simply removing it from the water using a phosban type media to remove it. Same principle, different way to get there

Added: The above is based on the P removal aspects. Cooking rock does a lot more than removing P. But as for the removal of the P itself, they both work on the same principle, just use a different method to remove the P from the water column.

[Jnicho]

Ya, I understand that cooking will do more toward "total cleaning" up the rock...but for the purposes of your discussion in controlling phos do we agree that running GFO in a reactor can do a sufficient job of reducing the amount of phos that has been absorbed into rock...and while it may not completely negate the need for cooking at some point, at least extend the "life" of said rock by a reasonable amount?

...and coupled with other routine maintain ace of a sand bed...would this not help extend the life of a sand bed too?