PhosGuard and Carbon

[atmercure]

Started running both of these on my 150g with two little fishies 150 reactors. Just looking for some advice as to when to change them. thanx

 

[jennm]

Matrix Carbon should be changed every 4-6 weeks.

Phosguard should be changed if/when you start to see phosphates (via testing) - that shows it's exhausted and needs to be replaced.

Hope this helps,

Jenn

 

[ralph atl]

change your carbon every 10 to 14 days max, and switch to GFO and change that either by testing phates, or by 10 to 14 days (30 days max).

 

[atmercure]

<p style="text-align:left;">

JennM;713223 wrote: Matrix Carbon should be changed every 4-6 weeks.


Phosguard should be changed if/when you start to see phosphates (via testing) - that shows it's exhausted and needs to be replaced.

Hope this helps,

Jenn

Yep, using the Matrix Carbon. Do you just rinse it until it runs clear or let it soak for a day in DI water

 

[atmercure]

Aston Martin;713278 wrote: I was thinking about switching to PhosGuard. Is it far inferior to GFO? Seems easier to use...

i thought these did the same thing. Which brand GFO to use?

 

[jennm]

Don't take my word for it...

http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/MatrixCarbon.html">http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/MatrixCarbon.html</a>

Says it works for, "several months". Not sure I'd leave it that long though. In Seachem Platinum training they told us 6 weeks.

[IMG]http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/PhosGuard.html">http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/PhosGuard.html</a>

Seachem has also told me to monitor the phosphate level while the Phosguard is in there, if the phoshpate starts to rise, it's time to replace. A lot will depend on the initial level of phosphate when the product is first used. With high phosphate present it will exhaust much more quickly than with continued use.

Comparing Phosguard to GFO is comparing apples and bowling balls. They are completely different products and work in a completely different way. Doesn't mean one is "better" than the other.

I personally prefer Phosguard because it's safe and easy to use.

Jenn

 

[ralph atl]

Aston Martin;713278 wrote: I was thinking about switching to PhosGuard. Is it far inferior to GFO? Seems easier to use...

Phosguard is about the only Aluminum based phosphate remover left on the market.....all others have long since died as it became problematic with certain corals in certain systems.

I have no idea how often you need to change Phosguard, since I don't know very many successful Stony coral keepers use it (I'm sure there are a couple).

GFO is (granulated iron oxide) and is used by many drinking water purifiers worldwide in addition to a extremely high number of sps keepers that have successful long term tanks. It works extremely well.

BRS has a great pelleted version.

here's an older article before a lot of people used it.