PhosGaurd

[truck0000]

I bought some to cut down on the phosphates in my tank that are feedind some cyano. I have used phosban in the past. The direactions say leave in the filter sock for 4 days then test. My question is does it stop working after 4 days or is it harmful to the tank after that lenght of time? I would like to run some in a filter bag all the time but need to know if it will hurt. Fish and Xenia is all I have in the tank right now, and only plan to go with some different varietys of zoa's. Any input or adive is welcome and excuse all spelling errors.
Thanks, Rob

[Richard]

No it is not harmful to leave it in longer than 4 days and it will not release the phosphate it has adsorbed. However, if it is exhausted then it won't be removing anymore phosphate. How long it takes to become exhausted depends on how much phosphate is in your water so that is why you test. I usually use a smaller amount and just change weekly since I don't do alot of testing for phosphates. I just let the algae tell me if there is excess phosphates or not.

Most important in using the aluminum based phosphate removers is to rinse them very well. The dust from them can irritate corals and fish. It is best to rinse with ro/di water since tap water usually has phosphate in it and you will be exhausting the media some by rinsing with tap.

[ErikH]

How much flow do you have in that bad boy? I have 3600 gph not including my return in my 75 and it might help if you do not have enough flow. You should siphon off the cyano that you can, and try an increase in flow. Trust me, your fish will be fine. I have a tiny, but VERY fat target mandarin and it can even swim directly into the current.
I would follow the directions on the label, as there are enough "ya never knows" in this hobby to add one more thing to the list. It's not that it stops working after four days, but I would imagine that they say four days is the appropriate amount of time to severly knock the phosphates back down to manageable levels. It should not leech anything into the tank either.
-How stocked is your tank?
-Tap or RODI?
-Feedings? How much/often?
-Water change regimen?

[sly fox]

Most important in using the aluminum based phosphate removers is to rinse them very well.

i can attest to this...i used one without washing and the tank turned cloudy.....doh! skimmer got it out tho but its something you definately have to do..

[truck0000]

Thanks for the help.
1600gph plus a mag 9.5 return
2 fish and I feed every day alternating flake and formula 2 frozen
I use rodi water
water change every 2-3 weeks 10-15 gals
skimmer will be back up and running soon
I just brusgh the cyano off the rocks and scoop out with a net that keeps it under control for the most part. just trying to get the water quality back up so i can get zoa,s back in it. I repalced all the bulbs so lots of light going to waste. Main parameters are fine.
Thanks, Rob