Quote:
Originally posted by dgasmd
Yes, but Borneman wrote that when there was not a single PO4 remover that was not aluminum based. That stuff is nasty.
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You probably just answered the crux of my question right here.
I seem to remember a time when everyone ran carbon all the time, then it fell out of favor except for "special occasions." IIRC, this was due to people saying that A) the carbon could leach PO4 back into the water and B) that carbon would strip the water of trace elements.
I think the PO4 thing is largely ignored now, as I remember it being proven this was not the case when using high-quality carbon. However, not sure what "final word," if any, exists regarding the stripping of trace elements.
Now back to the PO4 question- I'm setting up a 180 now and would definitely consider adding a PO4 reactor, if for nothing else to be there when I need it. Considering the improvements in PO4 sponges and the fact that I'm still experiencing hair algae issues on some of the LR that will eventually go into the tank, sounds like a wise investment of $40 or so. It does, however, sound like there are alternatives to using a reactor, one of them being a canister filter that could house both carbon and PO4. So now will we see the canister filter coming back into favor on reef tanks? How's that for stirring the pot?
After all, I could get a HOT magnum for about the same price, just hang it on the sump and not worry about plumbing it in or buying an additional pump, and could put all kinds of good stuff in there.
Travis