I'm recently seeing a lot of SPS keepers running RowaPhos or Phosban consistently on their tanks.
I understand PO4 as being problematic (first-hand) and limiting growth.
But this is one direction I didn't expect to see the hobby going.
Poeple are now buying reactors for their phosphate sponges to run them 24/7. And while I'm sure the short-term results are great, especially for a system that has never had the product used before, if we've learned anything from the DSB "fad" (probably a little early to call it a fad) it's that long-term results can be unpredictable with any unexplored new equipment/filtration.
It just seems to me that we're now running one of those chemicals that were always reserved for "if you have a problem" versus everyday maintenance. Furthermore, in Borneman's "Aquarium Corals" he recommends using PO4 sponges only as a sort of last resort (my words, not his) and mentions they can negatively effect soft corals.
Have products such as PB and RP made the leap to being something only beneficial and not detrimental? How do you think Eric would feel about this "fad?"
Do you think three years from now most reef tanks will be running some sort of PO4 sponge 24/7?
And most of all.... what do you OFR's think about all this?
I understand PO4 as being problematic (first-hand) and limiting growth.
But this is one direction I didn't expect to see the hobby going.
Poeple are now buying reactors for their phosphate sponges to run them 24/7. And while I'm sure the short-term results are great, especially for a system that has never had the product used before, if we've learned anything from the DSB "fad" (probably a little early to call it a fad) it's that long-term results can be unpredictable with any unexplored new equipment/filtration.
It just seems to me that we're now running one of those chemicals that were always reserved for "if you have a problem" versus everyday maintenance. Furthermore, in Borneman's "Aquarium Corals" he recommends using PO4 sponges only as a sort of last resort (my words, not his) and mentions they can negatively effect soft corals.
Have products such as PB and RP made the leap to being something only beneficial and not detrimental? How do you think Eric would feel about this "fad?"
Do you think three years from now most reef tanks will be running some sort of PO4 sponge 24/7?
And most of all.... what do you OFR's think about all this?