There are some other methods: growing algae, adding NO3, binding PO4, turf scrubbers, etc that can all work.

 

As Connie said, a water change is like an instant quick fix. 
Removal media (which I think really does work) just takes time.

 

And maybe the real key (as Connie also stated) is looking for the source... which I'm guessing is foods.

 

Adam 

 

I just do not have the self control to say no to a hunger pair of lips.. :) :) :)

 

Second, I have one huge ass skimmer. 

 

That doesn't mean I run phosphate free... but I think those things are keeping them low. 

 

Adam

 

I am running a canister with a sea swirl and I clean it every week. Maybe I need to increase this to two times a week....

 

Mike

 

I have used both and IMO the ferric oxide lasts longer than the (white) aluminum oxide... IMO you can run it 24/7/365 and it will not harm your corals, either...

 

 

 

 

Do you think coral uptake dissolved PO4 from the water and use it?  Or does it come from their foods and is ingested? 

 

In other words can a coral use PO4 in the water, or is it only a problem?

 

Adam

 

I have never experienced zooxanthallae issues in either coral, clams (since they have zoox as well), macroalgaes or corallines when running phosphate removal media...

 

In my case, the water return from my canister filter (where the pO4 removal media is located) actually flows right into my fuge - and it hasn't seemed to retard macro (or mangrove) growth one bit:

 

 

  And I still get a minor amount of algae buildup on my glass should I not clean it off every day or two...

 

 

Perhaps in the other cases the aquarist was using an excessive amount of ferric material; "overdosing", if you will?

 

 

 

I'm wondering if in Mark's case the corals did better not because of more PO4 (because that is really tough to believe) but because of increased algae and plankton???

 

Adam

 

IMO if a complete lack of pO4 in any form would retard growth or outright kill certain algae-containing organisms then - despite running a ferric-based remover 24/7/365 - obviously there is still some pO4 in my system...

 

In my experience, phosphate removers has always been beneficial when used properly.  I have seen numerous cases where the removal of phosphates have drastically increased calcification and coral growth along with reduction in nuisance algae.   I would always recommend running phosphate removers such as Rowaphos or BelaPhos.  I caution to go extremely slow when adding or replacing media.  Use only a device where you can control rate of removal like a phosphate reactor.

 

Thanks,

 

Scott

 

Deb

 

Do you know how much media (in grams) you had in the reactor and the (seperate) media bag? Offhand, I'd say you were using too much just based on having 3 types going at once.

 

I use only a single 150g container of the ferric oxide media in a bag inside my canister filter and that is enough for my 240 - ish gallons of water... and I change it out about once every 3-4 months. But remember, I run a plenum so my pO4 is low to start with

 

If you are using more than 150 g total I would say ditch everything but the media in the reactor and you could even add a little extra flake food at feeding times (great source of pO4)...

 

I'm not sure, however, if excessive pO4 remover would cause your skimmer to stop skimming though...?

 

 

 

 

I don't have all the answers as to why and how, I just know what I've observed.

In the last few years there has been a trend toward trying to keep PO4 low. Seems to me that's fine as long as the level doesn't go too low.