Phosphate sponge

[drsyme]

Well I put a mesh bag of granular phosphate sponge in the fuge yesterday. I used tap water 6 weeks ago when I started the tank, and even though I am using RO/DI now I have only changed maybe 20% of the water since the switch.

And I have a lot of microalgae on the glass.

Well I did. This morning 90% of the algae on the glass has vanished! I suspect it is the phosphate sponge. I am going to remove the mesh bag now, to prevent the phosphate from going back into the system.

My question is, is there any harm from using this stuff? I am looking at it as a form of nutrient removal. I know that it wont eliminate the phosphate, but will it harm the growth of the macroalgae in the refugium, and the desireable macroalgae in the display tank?

[Jimbo]

I know that it wont eliminate the phosphate, but will it harm the growth of the macroalgae in the refugium, and the desireable macroalgae in the display tank?

In my BB tank no macro algae would grow when using a phosphate remover. Since you have a refugium you can use macro algae to export NO3 and P. If you have a DSB after time (year or two) it will fill with phosphates and you may want to run the phosphate remover more often.

[rockster2599]

Is it the white type or the brown type? If it is the white stuff I would rethink its use. Its made from aluminium oxide which has a toxic effect on some corals (particularly toadstool leathers). Syptoms include retracted polyps, withered stalks, and white scabs on the stems. The manufacturers dont mention this so watch out .
Rockster

[drsyme]

It is the white stuff.


It is from Kent Marine. They make the claim on the label that it will not release soluble aluminum into the water. This is the reason I posted here to see what experience others may have had.

I dont have any corals now, so I cannot tell what the possible effects have been if any.

[rockster2599]

Kent is one of the ones that used to make my toadtool leather sick. I never had any problem with the brown (iron oxide) type but always did with several types of the white. It was only ever my toadstool but I cant imagine its only toxic to toadstool leathers the symptoms are probably just more obvious. Several other people have had the same problem but youll probably be O.K. particularly if you dont have any corals.

Rockster

[WilyGuy]

Any recommends on the brown stuff? Brand, etc? I also use the Kent and have for the past year with no adverse effects that I can see, but who knows if I switch everything will start to take off?

WG

[drsyme]

Originally Posted by rockster2599

Kent is one of the ones that used to make my toadtool leather sick. I never had any problem with the brown (iron oxide) type but always did with several types of the white. It was only ever my toadstool but I cant imagine its only toxic to toadstool leathers the symptoms are probably just more obvious. Several other people have had the same problem but youll probably be O.K. particularly if you dont have any corals.

Rockster

Ok for now maybe. But my concern is that once the aluminum gets in there, how much of it is going to get out with water changes. Despite it being soluble I would imagine it is going to precipitate out under some conditions. A little bit of this isnt a problem, but prolonged use I think would risk the aluminum precipitate being in equilibrim between soluble and precipitated forms, and there will forever be some aluminum that wont be able to be removed.

Thanks for your advice. Too bad, it worked well. I might use it sparingly still.

[R1Bill]

I've been using Rowa. No aluminum. Works great but expensive.

http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...asp?brandID=RW

Bill

[tims]

i have two toads growing in the tank. and use the sponge ( kent ) ina mag. canaster.. never had a problem with there growth.

[rockster2599]

I used rowaphos for a bit but found cheaper brands that do the same thing (cant remember what they are called). I would see the effects of adding the phosphate sponge within 6hrs of adding it. I wouldnt worry too much about the aluminium being in your system, my leathers would start to recvover within a few hours of removing the phosphate sponge.
Rockster