Phosphate Reactor....do I need one?

cashman95 · #1 08/14/2007, 04:56 PM

How many people keeping SPS are using a Phosphate Reactor? I just had my PO4 tested with a salifert test kit and it read .25
so my local reef store told me to up the collection on my skimmer, do more water changes( at least 10% weekly) and watch my feedings a bit more.

Well I already do 15% every 2 weeks and I only have 5 fish in my 100 Gallon system, and have a Refugium full of Cheato. So is a Phosphate Reactor my best bet?

RichConley · #2 08/14/2007, 05:01 PM

what are you running for a skimmer? How often is it filling the cup? What color is the skimmate?

bcolvin · #3 08/14/2007, 05:14 PM

My tank has responded well to the addition of the reactor. If you are registering phosphates you might want to add a reactor.

cashman95 · #4 08/14/2007, 05:56 PM

I have an Octopus nw-150 skimmer(modded) and I am now(after being told at the reef store) pulling a cup of semi-clear/brown skimmate. I was pulling a 1/4 cup of brownish/black skimmate everyday...and have raised the pipe since.

I know that there are things I can do to help lower my phosphate levels, like more water changes, feeding a bit less and such, but will that curve or cure my Phosphate problem? I have 2 anthias and 1 tomini tang..so I have to feed regularly(spectrum pellets).

I currently have some problematic hair algea growing, and small loss in SPS color, which turned me on to the idea of having a Phospahte problem. After having it checked by my local reef store, I am at this point....and need advice.

wentreefgirl · #5 08/14/2007, 06:08 PM

Well, I have one and alot do here. If its at that level and your having hair algae, Id say yup, join the club.

Jay4Robin · #6 08/14/2007, 06:19 PM

What is the TDS of the water you are using from your R/O DI unit? I would use the reactor since you like to have fish. The pellets will cause PO4 in your system.

cashman95 · #7 08/14/2007, 06:31 PM

My water is Double DI with a TDS of 0.

So pellets do cause a problem with PO4?

Wentreefgirl, Did you see an improvment in anything by having a reactor, or just better test results...

My main goal is super color SPS!!!!!! I feel I have the Flow, Lighting, and now need the water quality!

Jay4Robin · #8 08/14/2007, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cashman95
My water is Double DI with a TDS of 0.

So pellets do cause a problem with PO4?

Wentreefgirl, Did you see an improvment in anything by having a reactor, or just better test results...

My main goal is super color SPS!!!!!! I feel I have the Flow, Lighting, and now need the water quality!

All food releases PO4 but people that use pellets tend to throw in too many. EveryoneI know that has used pellets in an sps reef have had PO4 problems and had to cut back. If you have a reading of PO4 just imagine where it would be if you did not have the hair algae?? The hair algae is using the po4 for food.

Do the water changes and cut back on feeding. run the reactor with a slow return so the meadia works. remove as much hair algae as you can and get some mexican turbos to clean the rocks of any left over algae. If your parameters are good you should have good coloration. Make sure you are using a good salt like tropic marin reef pro. good luck

DaddyJax · #9 08/14/2007, 06:42 PM

My first flag in what you have said so far was the pellets. I would look into frozen mysis or brine that is in flats, not cubes. Also look into frozen cyclopeze as well. Do you blast your rocks? Do you have sand? How old is the tank? How many fish do you have total or is it just the fish you mentioned?

I don't run a reactor and don't think they are always needed and can cause harm to a system. I would try to find the problem and fix it rather than putting a chemical filtration on your system.

Jay4Robin · #10 08/14/2007, 06:55 PM

It is a balancing act. If you have a perfect balance with your bio load and bacteria in your system you wont need a reactor. I have had a reef for many years and found it to help when I keep alot of fish. Some people over do it with the media in the reactor and strip the water too fast and cause damage to the corals. I would go slow and do alot of water changes and use the reactor if your going to feed the fish daily.

cashman95 · #11 08/14/2007, 07:01 PM

Thanks Jay4Robin,

DaddyJax, here is my answers to your questions....

Frozen flats like a sheet? Is that so different than say SALLY'S cubes? I donot blast my rocks...but have about 7000GPH in a 75 gallon tank....? Yes I do have a sand bed, about 2 inches. The ank is almost 9 months old, and I do have a few more fish, just not real big or heavy eaters. My fish load consists of: 2 Anthias, 1 Tomini Tang, 1 Sixline Wrasse, 1 Corris Wrasse, and a Bicolor Blenny as well as a Lawn Mower Blenny. I also have a Sea Hair that is keeping much of the hair algea groomed!!!! DaddyJax, without turning this into a different thread, WHY are you against the reactor,(as I am kinda with you,its just new to me) and what other ways do you suggest I keep the levels down?

Thanks All for your comments....I amlearning more than I thought I would!!! More replys are welcome!

cashman95 · #12 08/14/2007, 07:08 PM

Jay4Robin, Do I have to get rid of Pellets or can I just feed the bare min. I aquired the 2 Anthias, and Tang from a friend that shut his tank down. He gave me all of his SPS(LOTS) so I kinda HAD to take the fish as well! I only feed them a pinch a day...and have since grown very fond of them. I have a 40 gallon sump which helps take the total water volume up around 100 gallons with rock.

I realize its a balancing act and am trying my best to do that, thats why I though that it would be best to keep feeding them, and YES go with a Phosphate reactor. Right now I am trying Prodibio's Bio-Digest as a bacteria supplement, which I read Off of a article in Reefkeeping magazine, is one of the ways you can help control Phosphates.

kev apsley · #13 08/14/2007, 07:09 PM

I think running a reactor would be helpful if you have a large fish population, feed a lot, have unwanted algae issues, have browned out sps, stunted coral growth, don't do regular wc's, top-off water is not RO/DI, etc.

don't trust Salifert PO4 readings either..the only accurate way to check PO4 levels is with a PO4 Colorimeter

Jay4Robin · #14 08/14/2007, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cashman95
Jay4Robin, Do I have to get rid of Pellets or can I just feed the bare min. I aquired the 2 Anthias, and Tang from a friend that shut his tank down. He gave me all of his SPS(LOTS) so I kinda HAD to take the fish as well! I only feed them a pinch a day...and have since grown very fond of them. I have a 40 gallon sump which helps take the total water volume up around 100 gallons with rock.

I realize its a balancing act and am trying my best to do that, thats why I though that it would be best to keep feeding them, and YES go with a Phosphate reactor. Right now I am trying Prodibio's Bio-Digest as a bacteria supplement, which I read Off of a article in Reefkeeping magazine, is one of the ways you can help control Phosphates.

I would just cut back on feeding. Tangs like to eat greens. You can try that also. Just make sure you have a good clean up crew to help with any left over food.

cashman95 · #15 08/14/2007, 08:22 PM

One more question...How many of you have noticed an IMPROVEMENT in SPS color since the addition of a Phosphate reactor, given that you had PO4 problems?

I have seen many BEAUTIFUL tanks with and without one and I am still torn between the two?!?!?! Take for instance IAN's tank featured on RC and in the DEC 06/JAN 07 Coral magazine. He is not using any sort of Phosphate reactor, and has many fish with no traces of PO4. His SPS are Amazing......He tells that he does 10% WC weekly and uses Prodibio bacteria cultures for exporting extra nutrients along with heavy skimming and a DSB?

I am just scared to add a reactor to the tank if I can find more natural ways to handle the problem. I like taking the less is more approach.

Any other suggestions?

Oh, I have Drfostersmith.com pulled up with a phosban reactor and media in my shopping cart debating on wether or not to order it?.?.?.?.

Jay4Robin · #16 08/14/2007, 08:27 PM

I would not count on noticing amazing colors cause you have a reactor. You need great water quality all levels in line good salts good lighting. take it one step at a time its an expensive hobby.

cashman95 · #17 08/14/2007, 09:15 PM

Thanks Again!!!!!!

cashman95 · #18 08/15/2007, 04:16 PM

Hi All, I just went by my local store and they do not have Phosban, nor a reactor so it will take me a week to get one ordered!

In the mean time can I use a Phosguard product by Seachem in a filter mesh bag floating in the sump, or is that product not suitable for SPS?

Bax · #19 08/15/2007, 04:42 PM

Can't answer about Seachem, but be sure to rinse what ever you use very very well before placing it in your tank the fines are BAD.

That said, I use a reactor with Phos Ban too.

I only feed a few pellets and very little flake in the morning and only what I can watch them eat. I've learned to add only enough that none gets away from them. Good prepped foods are very high in protein so a little goes a long way in the dietary needs of your fish.

I feed my frozen in the late afternoon or evening as my schedule allows. I turn off a Tunze at one end of the tank to feed so they can catch it easier and I can see that no large food pieces are getting away.

wentreefgirl · #20 08/15/2007, 04:50 PM

You can try it and see if it works for you. Didnt for me. Rinse thoroughly.

Scissorhand · #21 08/15/2007, 05:40 PM

I feed pellets but don't over-feed. They finish all food in 5 mins or less. I even am afraid that my hermits aren't getting any leftovers.

pepeinthenavy · #22 08/16/2007, 01:15 AM

Water change will probably do it and try to feed your fish just enough where you don't see food after about 2 minutes of feeding

masterfuji01 · #23 08/16/2007, 01:04 PM

I put some ROWA phosphate media in a media bag and put it in a medium flow place in my sump. It lowered P04 .0075 in a day. So it had an effect for me. I also only have a few fish and feed VERY minimally. As soon as i drop one flake in that doesnt get eaten i stop.

RichConley · #24 08/16/2007, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cashman95
I have an Octopus nw-150 skimmer(modded) and I am now(after being told at the reef store) pulling a cup of semi-clear/brown skimmate. I was pulling a 1/4 cup of brownish/black skimmate everyday...and have raised the pipe since.

I know that there are things I can do to help lower my phosphate levels, like more water changes, feeding a bit less and such, but will that curve or cure my Phosphate problem? I have 2 anthias and 1 tomini tang..so I have to feed regularly(spectrum pellets).

I currently have some problematic hair algea growing, and small loss in SPS color, which turned me on to the idea of having a Phospahte problem. After having it checked by my local reef store, I am at this point....and need advice.

That skimmer should handle those fish/tank. What are you running for flow?

cashman95 · #25 08/16/2007, 03:58 PM

4 tunze nano 6025 modded and an ehiem 1265.....I think its enough flow!!!!!