PhosBan

[drdude05]

I am planning on setting up my PhosBan reactor tonight. I have heard that it is not a good idea to use the full amount of media that the instructions recommends. How much media is good to start with?

[Wiskey]

I've never used one myself, but I've heard that starting with 1/4-1/2 MFG reccomendations is a good idea, make sure you watch very closely. Another good idea is to make sure that the media is very well rinced and your flow rate is fairly slow, especially at first.

Whiskey

[drdude05]

Thanks for the info W. I was thinking that I had heard using 1/4 to 1/3 the recommended amount in the instructions was the way to go, but I just wanted to make sure. I'm actually doing this as an experiment. I have beaten all my water perams into what should be optimal ranges. As of last night:

pH:8.2
NH3: 0
NO3: 0
NO2: 0
PO4: 0
Ca: 425
Alk: 3.25

Mg is the only one I am still working on, last night it was 1180 and I am actively working to raise it.

The XM's don't seem to have made mush of an impact on coloration and both of the "purple" montis I have still look brown. Even though my PO4 is 0, I get ~ 2.5 - 3 gallons of green tea skimmate a week, and I vaccum the sandbed for detritus regularly, I'm still wondering if I have a PO4 problem. I thought I might try a small dose of PosBan for a few weeks to see if anything changes.

[Casey]

I started mine with 1/4 the ammount recommended with no problems.

[drdude05]

Casey, do you always run 1/4 the amount or did you increase the amount slowly over time?

[drdude05]

What is a good flow rate to use with the reactor?

[Hop]

I only put about 2" of rowaphos in the reactor and then allow it to fluidize... I have to change it about once a month now that everything has stabalized...

[Hop]

Originally Posted by drdude05

What is a good flow rate to use with the reactor?

Guess I should have been more descriptive... Duh

I keep it so that it all mixes up, but none rises more than 1-2" from it's level when off. Hope that makes sense