How much Rowa phos to use??

[Malibu361]

Ok,I just got my reactor NextReef MR1 Media Reactor - Phosphate Phosban Nitrate - eBay (item 250301699676 end time Oct-29-08 08:45:08 PDT) today with the 500 ml or Rowaphos And I have read over it but still I am unsure how much to put in or if 500 ml is enough for the reactor..?I think it says use 100 ml of Rowaphos up to 100 Gallons but tha only seems like enough to cover the bottom songe of the reactor??This is my first reactor and I am confussed please help ..Thanks Sal

 

[Killerdrgn]

This is in the instructions on the link you provided.
"Some media (such as phosphate control products) are not designed to be aggressively fluidized in the reactor – please read the instructions on your media carefully. You may fill the reactor as far as you wish with these products."

So the Rowaphos may say 100mL of it may clear 100 gallons, but you can fill the reactor chamber with more than 100mL. So if you fill it with all 500mL of Rowaphos you just won't have to change it out as often.

 

[Malibu361]

Ok, that is what I thought but how much should it be mixing around the whole amount or just the top layer ??And should it be aggressive??

 

[Killerdrgn]

No it should just look like the top layer is shifting ever so slightly. And it is possible for only certain areas to move more than others, so watch out to make sure its not moving really fast and churning around.

 

[tosiek]

do a little more than whats recommended. adding 2x as much does not mean it takes 2x as long to use up but rather takes out more but gets used up rightly the same amount of time maybe a week more.

If the more you add the longer you had to change out was true people would be running tanks full of GFO. I would, imagine a tank not plagued with maintenance.

 

[emmanuel]

I don't mean to hijack your thread but I'm sure this would be your next question How long before you change the media if you have a lite bio load? I know you should check phosphates and when they are rising you change out the media but everything I read about test kits for phosphates say their not accurate. I change it every month

 

[Malibu361]

As for carbon would I have to fill up a reactor all the way ?

 

[emmanuel]

no the carbon usually says how much for how many gallons I have a 125 gal tank and use esv carbon in a two little fish phosbanreactor my carbon fills it half way and gets enough flow to make it tumble not like the rowaphos

 

[duke62]

what size pump do u use on the TLF phosban for carbon.im picking 1 up next week and didnt figure out which pump to go with

 

[Dace]

what size pump do u use on the TLF phosban for carbon.im picking 1 up next week and didnt figure out which pump to go with

For rowa a 404 or 606 mini jet. They are adjustable flow so you don't need a small ball valve on it, for carbon i use a 900 or 1200 maxi jet

 

[duke62]

yeah i have a 404 on my phosban.thanks now i know which pump for carbon

 

[Salty Dog]

I have the same reactor, havent used it yet but it looks great