Hair algae with zero nitrate, zero phosphate?

[ToeJam]

So, regular chemi pure and a bag of rowaphos would be ideal?

Thanks, DSR for the answer!

Ideal in what way? Dealing with Algae?

Using a good water source, controlled light feeding, good skimmer, clean up crew, and and phosban is my usual ideal way of dealing with most tank problems caused by excess nutrients.

Chemi pure claims it absorbs nitrates... good thing. How effective is it? I dont know.

The only effective way I am sure on nutrients exporting are 3 things.
Water changes... Skimmers... and Refugiums with macro algae. All other things out there I am not sure about.

If you simply just want to keep phosphates at bay ...it would be surely to go the phosban reactor route with the Ferric Iron Oxide. Phosban Rowaphos and other brands out here I don't know of.

Your idea to combine both I don't see a problem with my very limited understanding of Chemi Pure regular. But I also don't see a purpose on spending money on both for phosphate...

The GFO (granulated ferric oxide) does that job all by itself. And very effectively. Many users of Phosban reactors like me would preach using this often..(as you noticed above by other users)

 

[mcsassy]

^ So products like rowaphos and phosban can't be used without a reactor?

 

[Ace25]

Ya, you can put them in a filter bag (I believe both Phosban and Rowaphos come with a bag in the bottle) and just put it in your sump, it just isn't as effective as using a reactor, but still better than not running it at all. A reactor is under $40 for a decent one, just a little more than a 250ml bottle of Rowaphos.

In regards to Chemi-Pure, as far as I know, it doesn't do anything really for phosphates. Chemi-Pure Elite does, but IMO is way to expensive an option compared to GFO. I use Chemi-Pure as a supplimental way to remove things like DOCs and toxins. I know I don't have the greatest skimmer for my tank and I personally believe that running 2 bags of chemi-pure is like giving me 2x the skimmer performance, plus carbon removes things that are not able to be removed via skimming.

 

[Slappy*McFish]

I use Purigen as a supplement to my skimmer. It does a fine job in removing DOC/organics.

 

[DSR]

the only concern I would have with using ferric oxide is because I have clams... it is my understanding (and I could be mistaken) but I believe that clams aren't big fans of ferric oxide and it can cause issues (even death). I have not verified this as of this writing, but I am preparing a research project of sorts on clam raisin' ( I am giving a talk here in a few weeks about clams). I will let oyu all know what Ifind out.

 

[Ace25]

I know plenty of people with clams that run GFO, but I can't say if there is validity to your statement. I never heard it myself, but doesn't mean it isn't true. There is always aluminum oxides, ie, Phosguard, but then you run into aluminum leaching into your tank.

 

[DSR]

I am doing some research on the issue right now. And, oddly, there is some speculation that it may cause problems (PM for example) there is nothing to support the claim. Current research suggests that PM is caused by an as yet inidentified protazoa... So who knows. I will post some more info when I finish with my scholarly endevours...lol.