Group Buy - Ferric Hydroxide (Phosphate Sponge)

KrazyPlace · Post by **KrazyPlace** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 5:20 pm

Scott asked me if I could get my hands on some granular Ferric Hydroxide (i.e. Phosphate Sponge). I checked with some of my venders and I found a rep (USFilters) who would sell it.

Read this link: http://www.usfilter.com/water/ProductDe ... 25&PID=730

It cost about $160 for a 35 pound drum plus tax and shipping. That's about $4.57 a pound ($2.52 / 250g). This material has been used in some of the public aquariums (New Orleans I think and some others up North).

This is a link to www.marinedepot.com's Phosban product they sell for $12.29 plus tax and shipping for 250g (0.5 lbs), so I think this is a pretty good price (1/5 the cost).

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem. ... uct=TL4111

If there is enough interest, then I'll order a drum for the group.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 5:37 pm

I'll take 5 lbs.

You never know when you will need it and it is the same as the non-Kent Marine phosphate removal products. It is recommended to be used in a fluidized filter type system but can be used the same as carbon or in a canister filter.

http://www.coraltech-aquatics.co.uk/rowaphos2.htm

Xster · Post by **Xster** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 5:43 pm

I will take at least 20 lbs.

About time we are able to find some of this stuff, cheap.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 5:49 pm

I might take more depending on if anyone else is interested. For that price it would be worth it.

John, are you using Rowaphos (or other brand) now?

Brandon · Post by **Brandon** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 6:16 pm

I was just fixing to buy some Rowaphos.. and this thread is here tonight.. Great timing!!
I'll buy as much as allowed.. up to a limit of course. Heck, Krazy, might need to order 2 of these if you can.
I have to wonder how heavy Rowaphos is though.. they sell it by volume, not weight.

Xster · Post by **Xster** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 6:38 pm

Hey Scott, I am using Phosban at the moment, which is actually the same stuff, I think, as RowaPhos. Iron-based phosphate sponge.

John

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 6:40 pm

Xster wrote:Hey Scott, I am using Phosban at the moment, which is actually the same stuff, I think, as RowaPhos. Iron-based phosphate sponge.

John

How are you using it (filter bag, fluidized bed filter, etc)?

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 6:41 pm

And I think that Rowa, phosban and phosguard all the same.

Xster · Post by **Xster** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 7:06 pm

Just FYI, Phosguard by Seachem is not the same. Phosguard is aluminum based. I formerly used that until I learn about about the fact that Phosguard does leach aluminum back into the water column, and it is also a fact that aluminum can be deadly in your reef tank.

KrazyPlace · Post by **KrazyPlace** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 7:25 pm

Brandon wrote:...Heck, Krazy, might need to order 2 of these if you can....

Brandon, how much do you mean by 2 of these? Give me the pounds you think you want.

Brandon · Post by **Brandon** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 8:37 pm

After doing a little research, I think 5 lbs would be plenty for me.
I can't find any information on manufacturers recomendation on how often to change it. I guess it would depend on the current PO4 level and bioloads. Doing searches on RC, seems people change it every 3-6 months. The 2little fishes product recommends 1g/gal so I'll just go with that.
I have a 125 so..
5lbs = 2268grams or enough to treat 2268 gallons.
That would be enough to treat my tank 18 times.
Even if I change it every 3 months, I'll have enough for 4.5 years.

Xster's 20lbs would be enough to treat his tank for over 8 years.

Is my math wrong on this? Anyone know more about how long before it is saturated and needs to be changed out?

So... 5lbs would be great for me.. I can paypal or snailmail cash whenever you want it.

SaltnLime · Post by **SaltnLime** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 8:39 pm

5 lbs here too!

KrazyPlace · Post by **KrazyPlace** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 9:08 pm

That is 35 lbs right there! Boy that was fast! I'll order it if you guys are sure and if I can skim 2 lbs off the top for a handling fee.

Do you want to wait until Monday and see if we get enough interest in another drum?

tbmoore · Post by **tbmoore** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 9:09 pm

I usually order a 25#bucket of Kent phosphate sponge from CustomAquatics for 97.99 or you can get a 40# sack for 139. I run this 24/7 along with carbon. A bucket usually last about 16months in this 240gal tank....I change it out about every wk when in country whether I need to or not...just PM. http://www.customaquatic.com/customaqua ... ate+sponge

KrazyPlace · Post by **KrazyPlace** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 9:10 pm

Brandon wrote:...Xster's 20lbs would be enough to treat his tank for over 8 years...

I think he has multiple tanks and his brother was building a tank too...