Phosphate Reactors Bad?

Okay, so I just started running SeaChem Phosguard a few days ago. It says use for 4 days, test phosphates, and then put back in if the phosphates are still elevated. Do I really have to remove it after 4 days? I was just going to leave it in for several weeks, like my other filter media....

 

Hey KCCCC, phosguard is aluminum based so may leech back into the water once exhausted. Maybe go with something iron based like RowaPhos, that would be better as it lasts much longer and doesn't leech back in.

 

Here is a good article on Phosphate removal.
Phosphate and the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

Okay thanks...Hmm...I was hoping for something I could just leave in! I was using GFO, but I don't think it was working very well.

Thanks - I'll read that.

 

Try the pelletized or High Capacity versions of the GFO, they both work better than the regular granular products. Bulk Reef sells all of them.

 

I was using BRS GFO - the pellet version. Maybe I could try that high capacity version.

 

I reread the instructions over the weekend - it says test at 4 days, then if the levels have not gone up, leave it in, continue to test and replace when the phosphate level goes up.

I just replaced mine at about the 7 day mark.