PhosBan Reactor / Media

[mlefessler]

Got a little - okay, a lot - of hair algae growing in my 2-month old 75-gallon. Parameters are all in acceptable ranges.

Nothing too serious as I am hand-picking the algae every other day (how persistent, I know). Seeing as I would rather enjoy and look at my tank without sticking my hand in there, I ordered a phosphate reactor from TwoLittleFishies. I just purchased the pump and tubing to complete the hardware set-up. Now, I just need media.

I don't want to go uneducated in regards to the media, so I swung by my LFS on my way home from work today and took a quick gander at what products they have in store. Here are some of the options:

PhosGuard (and regular) - though I've read some mixed reviews regarding the fact that this product leaches aluminum back in the water? I'd much rather go with a ferric oxide-based media.
Chemi-Pure Elite/Normal - the media comes in a little bag which suggests the media is not meant for a reactor.
Pura Phoslock - I've heard nothing but good things about this product.

Also, when using this reactor and the hair algae starts to starve from lack of phosphates, will that create a considerable amount of die-off, or is that not applicable to algae?

Thanks for any inputs - I know I'm rather new, but I shall learn from the masters! =)

 

[Ace25]

With hair algae, it gradually fades away so there is no worry about die off.

As for Media, definately go with a GFO like the Pura Phoslock.

Phosguard is a quick fix, works great at making your phosphates and silicates 0 in just a day or 2, but the media is quickly spent after just a few days. Not a good media to use all the time because it can get expensive changing that much out all the time and a reactor really isn't needed with that stuff. Think of it as a band-aid on a wound that needs stiches. It will help stop the bleeding, but not intended as a permanent fix. GFO is the stiches you need.

Chemi-Pure Elite, good on it's own, but VERY expensive compared to GFO. Elite just has GFO in the bag vs non-elite doesn't, so the Elite will help with Phosphates. Way to expensive to use in place of GFO in a reactor though.

 

[mlefessler]

Thank you kindly for the response!

I thought Pura Phoslock was definitely the way to go. I just wanted a second opinion to validate my own. Feels good to know I'm on the right track! =)

 

[mlefessler]

Well, now I have conflicting instructions regarding the amount of media to use in the reactor.

The reactor calls for a max of 5", minimum of 2". The Pura Phoslock calls for one tablespoon per 25 gallons. 3 tablespoons for a 75-gallon seems like it would not reach the minimum of 2" the reactor calls for. What should I do?

I do know that the media should "dance". Should it dance just on the surface or should all of it tumble lightly?

 

[ToeJam]

Well, now I have conflicting instructions regarding the amount of media to use in the reactor.

The reactor calls for a max of 5", minimum of 2". The Pura Phoslock calls for one tablespoon per 25 gallons. 3 tablespoons for a 75-gallon seems like it would not reach the minimum of 2" the reactor calls for. What should I do?

I do know that the media should "dance". Should it dance just on the surface or should all of it tumble lightly?

Don't know.. Phosban has that stuff to but also states you can use so much more... i dump it all in myself =).

When reactor is flowing you should see the uplfow stir from underneath...it should move around...but if its slamming around and flows allover above the main layer...turn it down...it should move but not blow all over the reactor itself.. ...you dont want them to collide with too much force.. dust=problems

Just be sure to have a PH buffer on hand ...your PH will be impacted on break in of the media....

Trick I do when i set up is i put the media in the reactor...put RO water in a bucket...and put the pump inside...and turn it on by the sink till it rinses out the media ..once water is clear comming out you are ready to fire it up on the tank or sump...good way to make sure No dust in your system.


Algae problems:

Just hand pull all you can out...i wouldnt allow it to just die off...it only adds to pollution in the tank....may as well just rip it out ...having a good maintenance the die off won't be such an impact just ugly...but still...if you had a good maintenance to begin with ...you shouldn't have so much hair algae either...

I prefer to advise just remove all the crap you can...and re-evaluate what you have been doing that may have contributed to the problems and adjust from here on out.