Phosphate Reactor Questions

[GRocks]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has any experience with Rowa phosphate media. I noticed that on the instructions for the media, it says not to rinse out and that the aquarium may turn brown. and this will not harm anything. I am somewhat skeptical about this because i figured the whole point of having the sponges inside the reactor is to prevent the finer media from entering the aquarium.

Also, how much flow should i have running through the reactor? Ive heard different things. Should the the media be lightly tumbling or completely still?

As usual, any comments are appreciated. Sorry if this topic has already come up recently.

[seminolecpa]

My understanding is that the media should be at a slight tumble like a light boil. Anything more then that and you are agitating the media too much.

I used to use ROWA but decided to switch to Phosar a while back as Rowa is quite expensive and I have seen no difference.

I always run tank water through the reactor first, empty the brown stuff into a container and dump before I let it run freely through my tank.

[FinalPhaze987]

Be sure not to run the flow too fast. Youll grind up the rowaphos and it will end up in the tank. As mentioned, there should be slight movement on the top..you may have to tap your reactor every now and then to help release some air bubbles...i started using phosban instead of rowaphos and found i dont have that problem with it packing down as much...

Everytime i refill mine, i let it drain in a specimen container till its clear...it usually takes about a litre of water till i see no sediment...

[FinalPhaze987]

Be sure not to run the flow too fast. Youll grind up the rowaphos and it will end up in the tank. As mentioned, there should be slight movement on the top..you may have to tap your reactor every now and then to help release some air bubbles...i started using phosban instead of rowaphos and found i dont have that problem with it packing down as much...

Everytime i refill mine, i let it drain in a specimen container till its clear...it usually takes about a litre of water till i see no sediment...

[Kinetic]

unless you dump in TONS of rowaphos, and/or have a tiny little tank, it won't really turn brown.

I always rinse it a tad before putting the media into the reactor, what could it harm?

[GRocks]

thanks for the responses. I think i got it set up ok now.. Hopefully it helps getting rid of this dark brown/black fuzzy stuff encrusting my rocks