| Saltwater aquarium owners will eventually need to | | | | be able to easily find some phosphate removal media. |
| control phosphate levels in their aquariums as the | | | | It usually is lumped in the same category as other |
| aquarium matures. Phosphate is a nutrient found in | | | | chemical removal media such as activated carbon. |
| aquariums that feeds algae and inhibits calcification of | | | | When purchasing phosphate removal media be sure |
| invertebrates and corals. | | | | to check the specifications of the brand you are |
| Phosphate control can help to reduce the amount of | | | | using. The media may behave differently from brand |
| algae that grows in an aquarium and will maximize | | | | to brand. Some phosphate removal media will require |
| coral growth in saltwater aquariums. | | | | that you remove or replace it within days to prevent |
| Many aquarium owners might not fully understand the | | | | leaching of the phosphates back into the aquarium |
| benefits of phosphate control, and therefore might | | | | water. Other phosphate media may not need to be |
| not practice it in their normal aquarium maintenance | | | | replaced as soon, if at all. |
| activities. If you have an established saltwater | | | | Implementing Phosphate Removal Media |
| aquarium that is starting to have regular problems | | | | Phosphate removal media can be implemented into |
| with nuisance algae growth, it's probably time to start | | | | your aquarium in different ways. |
| making a conscious effort to control phosphate | | | | The first method would be to buy and install a |
| levels. | | | | phosphate reactor. A phosphate reactor is simply a |
| Preventing High Phosphate Levels | | | | chamber that sits within the water filtration flow of |
| The first step in battling phosphate levels in an | | | | your aquarium and has an intake and outtake. The |
| aquarium is to try to prevent the amount of | | | | chamber is filled with phosphate removal media, |
| phosphates that are in the aquarium in the first place. | | | | which the aquarium water will flow through |
| Using purified water that has gone through the | | | | continuously. Phosphate reactors can be hooked up in |
| process of reverse osmosis is the first step you | | | | the existing water flow plumbing of your aquarium. |
| should take. Buy a reverse osmosis water purifier and | | | | You can also usually hook up a separate powerhead |
| use it to purify all water that you will be putting in | | | | intake and outtake into your aquarium if needed |
| your aquarium. | | | | which will allow you to run the reactor independent |
| If you do not want to buy or utilize a reverse | | | | of your other aquarium filtration. |
| osmosis water purifier you should find some place | | | | A second method would be to buy some mesh |
| where you can purchase purified water. Grocery | | | | media bags and use your current sump filter or |
| stores or maybe even pet stores (that sell fish) | | | | canister filter. Fill the mesh bags with phosphate |
| should be able to provide you with a source to | | | | removal media and place them inside your canister |
| purchase purified water. | | | | filter or sump filter. The mesh bags will prevent the |
| Reducing High Phosphate Levels | | | | pieces of the media from getting all over the place in |
| If you already have high phosphate levels in your | | | | your filtration system and will make maintenance and |
| aquarium, simply switching over to purified water | | | | implementation of the media much more easy to |
| probably won't help much. The rate at which you add | | | | handle. The media will then be in the main water flow |
| new water to your mature aquarium will not allow | | | | of your aquarium filtration system. |
| you to fully swap in purified water over a short | | | | Once you have implemented phosphate prevention |
| period of time. | | | | and removal techniques for a period of time, you |
| You will need to use phosphate removal media in | | | | should notice a decrease in the amount of nuisance |
| your aquarium to filter out all the phosphates. There | | | | algae in you aquarium. You may not need to clean |
| are several types of phosphate removal media | | | | your aquarium as often and your aquarium water |
| available from aquarium supply dealers. Take a look | | | | quality will be improved. |
| online at any aquarium supply dealer and you should | | | | |