Phosphate Control

[GaryP]

Hello folks,

As most of the long time members here probably realize, one of the most commonly asked questions here is about control of various nuisance algaes (bubble, hair, cyano). Invariably, part of the answer offered up by the more experienced members is to control phosphates. Various methods of doing that are usually mentioned, including water changes, skimming, running carbon, and various phosphate removal agents. Everyone seems to have a favorite phosphate removal product.

I came across this article in the latest edition of Advanced Aquarist.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/june2004/review.htm

As a former chemist I love to see actual hard data on product performance. There is usually very little of this available in our hobby. Most of technical details of the article may be a little over the head of some of our members, but the recommendations and results are still useful to the average hobbyist.

Please let me know if anyone needs any help in understanding the details. I'd be glad to help out.

Gary

[matt]

I'm currently using 500 ml of rowaphos on my 110 gallon reef. It's been in my canister for a few days, and I do notice an overall improvement in the tank's appearance. I don't have a good phosphate test kit, so I can't say how much phosphate this stuff is removing. But, nuisance algae seems to be going away.

[GaryP]

Matt,

I think a "good phosphate kit" is an oxymoron. If you noticed in the attached paper they used a Hach spectrophotometer, not a hobbyist kit. I had access to a Hach kit before I got into the hobby. I wish I still did. I do think that a lot of the reagents we get in the kits come from Hach. The little aluminum packets or reagents that come in some of the kits is a Hach signature.

Gary