Phosphate Removers

[Stu :)]

For the removal of phosphates from a fresh water aquarium, which do you guys and girls think is the better product...
JBL PhosEX Ultra
or
Seachem PhosGuard

Please note, I'm sure there are other great products out there, but down here in NZ we don't get same range of products you lucky overseas people get.

Stu

 

[LowCel]

I have no experience with either but I have never been dissapointed with anything that Seachem makes.

 

[tcarswell]

I second that. Every seachem product I have tried (Matrix carbon ,purigen ,stability,and their test kits and medications ) Are amazing products and have done a very good job. My opinion go for the seachem.

 

[velanarris]

Seachem PhosGuard is a great product.

 

[brianp]

My personal view is that both phosphates and nitrates should be dealt with by water changes and routine debris removal. Fish feces contains high concentrations of phosphate derived from the DNA and RNA present in the food they've digested. Hence, fecal matter should be routinely removed. If you want to use a type of media for phosphate removal, most will probably have some positive effect, but each has a potential downside...in addition to taking up valuable space in your filter. If you use the Seachem product, keep an eye on your pH. If you use Magnavore or PhosBan, the material is brittle and may physically degrade if agitated. If I felt compelled to use some type of media, I would look at the various "mats" available, which claim to be able to adsorb phosphate. These appear to be easy to install and replace.

 

[velanarris]

My personal view is that both phosphates and nitrates should be dealt with by water changes and routine debris removal. Fish feces contains high concentrations of phosphate derived from the DNA and RNA present in the food they've digested. Hence, fecal matter should be routinely removed. If you want to use a type of media for phosphate removal, most will probably have some positive effect, but each has a potential downside...in addition to taking up valuable space in your filter. If you use the Seachem product, keep an eye on your pH. If you use Magnavore or PhosBan, the material is brittle and may physically degrade if agitated. If I felt compelled to use some type of media, I would look at the various "mats" available, which claim to be able to adsorb phosphate. These appear to be easy to install and replace.

It's not always an option. The water comming from my tap is LOADED with phosphates. More than a non-chemo method would be able to handle before algae outbreaks occured.

 

[tcarswell]

My personal view is that both phosphates and nitrates should be dealt with by water changes and routine debris removal. Fish feces contains high concentrations of phosphate derived from the DNA and RNA present in the food they've digested. Hence, fecal matter should be routinely removed. If you want to use a type of media for phosphate removal, most will probably have some positive effect, but each has a potential downside...in addition to taking up valuable space in your filter. If you use the Seachem product, keep an eye on your pH. If you use Magnavore or PhosBan, the material is brittle and may physically degrade if agitated. If I felt compelled to use some type of media, I would look at the various "mats" available, which claim to be able to adsorb phosphate. These appear to be easy to install and replace.

Explains why I (Knock on wood) Dont get any algae even brown algae. My tanks stay incessantly clean and I change 50% of the water twice a week because of high tap nitrates until my RO is set up. The UV probably helps too

 

[velanarris]

50% twice a week? That must be a helluva bill to pay.

 

[LowCel]

50% twice a week? That must be a helluva bill to pay.

Try 30% to 40% every four or five days on a 300, a 210, and a 55. It isn't the cheapest thing in the world but considering the fish I keep are my responsiblity I think it is an expense I am obligated to deal with. Afterall, I volunteer to take on the responsibility, it wouldn't be very fair to the fish for me to cheap out on their care.

Actually once tcarswell gets his RO set up he will use even more water than he does now if he only does one water change a week. I used to use RO/DI on my reef tank, it's amazing how much water those things waste.

 

[velanarris]

Try 30% to 40% every four or five days on a 300, a 210, and a 55. It isn't the cheapest thing in the world but considering the fish I keep are my responsiblity I think it is an expense I am obligated to deal with. Afterall, I volunteer to take on the responsibility, it wouldn't be very fair to the fish for me to cheap out on their care.

Actually once tcarswell gets his RO set up he will use even more water than he does now if he only does one water change a week. I used to use RO/DI on my reef tank, it's amazing how much water those things waste.

I was thinking about the bill for the livestock he's stressing to death.