Phosban media in reactors - life?

[Playdope]

Yeh, I read the back of the phosban container, but you never know with what companies recommend these days. How long do most of you run Phosban media in your reactors?

 

[reefland]

bump.

Wondering myself.

 

[Bucktronix]

well i just bought one today. i think for my 90 the phosban should last around 3 months. they say possibly 6 but im banking on 3.

 

[Anonymous]

i would test the water fairly regularly until you get an idea of how long it lasts.
this is kinda like asking how long it takes to evaporate a gallon of water.. one tank will differ significantly from another.

 

[Playdope]

Do most of you run the reactor constantly or on a timer. I read Randy Holmes-Farley's article, and he brought up the importance of a low phosphate levels and coral health. If I remember he recommended maintaining at least a minimum PO4 level of 2. Heres the article:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/ ... 2/chem.htm

 

[Anonymous]

I use Rowaphos not phosban in my DIY reactor.
The directions for the Roeaphos say to test for PO4 on a regular schedule then change when you see a increase in the levels.
I just change it when I start to see cyno again!

 

[ReeferAl]

i would test the water fairly regularly until you get an idea of how long it lasts.

This doesn't necessarily help at all. I started using Phosban because of a turf algae outbreak even though my phosphates (and nitrates too) were always undectable (Salifert test kit). The theory is that the algae can take up the nutrients at a lower level than we can detect so they are sucked up as fast as they are produced. If Phosban can "suck up" the phosphate at even lower levels than the algae then it can suppress algae growth that is occurring in the presence of undetectable levels. Remember, the hobbiest test kits can only detect phosphate levels that are something like 10X natural sea water levels. I plan to replace the Phosban every 2 months until I see a real change in the turf algae, then I will decrease the media changes.
Allen