lanthanum experiment

[reefkeeper2]

I'm still using it. The only problem I have is that it doesn't seem to lower the phosphate below 0.3ppm. I inject 8-10 cc lanthanum mixed with 50ml of water into a 10 micron filter sock over 4 hours.

 

[Greg Hiller]

>The only problem I have is that it doesn't seem to lower the phosphate below 0.3ppm<

Paul, you mean 0.03 ppm right? IIRC, that's to be expected. I'm not sure it's healthy for a tank to be much below that anyhow.

 

[reefkeeper2]

Yes that's what I meant, 0.03. I still have plenty of micro algae growth on the acrylic surfaces with a level that low.

 

[mgreefer]

Paul,

I like your idea of injecting to the skimmer intake then filtering the outflow, but I have been scratching my head as to how do I actually inject this little amount in a 2-4 hour period everyday and have it be automated.

My skimmer is fed through a T from one of the external return pumps connected to the sump and I can’t figure how would I do it? How do you do it?

Anyone else? Any ideas?

 

[reefkeeper2]

I have a syringe pump. I originally bought it to feed non-photosynthetic corals on a continuous basis. That experiment was a failure unfortunately. The corals did well but my tank did not. The nutrient overload was too much. You could probably use a peristaltic pump to automate fully. I think Greg Hiller has access to those kinds of pumps.
I went to CRA today and I noticed a nice change in the elos tank that Jeremy is testing zeo on. The colors on the sps are definately popping, and the tank as a whole looks better. I am thinking more and more of giving it a try.

 

[mgreefer]

Thanks Paul for the info. I don’t know if this will work for me since the skimmer is fed through a T of one of the external return pumps.

I could tap into the feed line with a quick connect and a small tube line connected to a syringe or peristaltic pump but I would imagine the water pressure will force the liquid the opposite way, wouldn’t it?

 

[reefkeeper2]

Yes, it sounds like it would. You could just skip the skimmer and drip directly into the filter sock. That is what most people do. I have tried it both ways and could not see any measurable difference. It's the sock that captures the most of the precipitate.

 

[swreef103]

haha!dealt with the battles of phosphates for years.to be honest with u paul i think the food is ur main concern in pollution and phosphate build up.no more oceans nutrition for me.i switched to omega sea just cause the simple fact that i noticed a huge difference when i switched the type of foods i put in my tank(s).my 1st tank(65gal)always had a combo of phos and high nitrates.#1 cause of casualties i think.since then i've always been on top of testing phos b4 anything else...i use the bluelife phosphate control and i can't say anything bad about it.all though i did notice that it can be deadly to montipora when u use the dose that it's recommended by the manufacturer.i haven't had any episodes in the increase of more than .05ppm.believe me,u know i know!if there's 1 thing i hate is rtn on my corals tissue....