PHOS Buster Pro

[EnronExec]

I was wondering if anyone has used this product before? Im still having a fight with green hair algea growth in my tank. The product is by a company in FL called Carib Sea and claims to "Instantly remove dissolved phosphates. Helps control green hair, slime, and other nuisance algae. Promotes the growth of hard corals, soft corals, pink and purple coraliline algaes." There is also a sticker saying "For saltwater, carbonate hardness must be 3.5 meq/l (6-7dKH) or higher to use this product. Use buffer to correct."

It says its safe for all Invert and Fishes, so it sohuld be safe to use right?

[j_man]

I had good luck with the original. The pro is supposed to be way better. Most people on here will probably just tell you not to add phosphates in the first place. But since you have them I believe removing them is best. First use the pro then change and clean all filters, then do a 10-15% water change with RODI salt water. You should notice a signifigant drop in your phos lvl.

[Ninong]

EnronExec,

Are you running a protein skimmer on your tank?

I just ran a search on this product on Carib-Sea's website and this is what I found: http://carib-sea.com/pages/products/...neaddbuff.html

Phos-Buster™ Pro -

Phos-Buster™ Pro’s unique patent pending formula
removes dissolved phosphates in minutes instead of
days. Safe for all reef tanks, saltwater, and
freshwater aquariums of all sorts. Each 8 oz. bottle
removes at least 1.5 ppm in up to 250 gallons of
water! No more fiddling with filter bags, or special
reactors; just dose it and forget about your phosphate
problem. Phos-Buster™ Pro may be used regularly
as part of a preventative maintenance program.
Product #: 08508 (8 oz.).


I wonder what they mean by "removes dissolved phosphates?" That statement is probably misleading. What they probably mean is that it binds dissolved phosphates, allowing them to be removed by skimming or other means. Skimming would be best. It is likely that any phosphate that is bound by this product but not removed by skimming within 24 hours or so would be set free again by bacterial action. Also, if you have phosphate that is bound to your rock and sediments, it will be set free as the phosphate level in the tank is reduced by the action of these phosphate binders and skimming. So you would have to keep at it for a period of time, depending on the extent of your phosphate problem.

I doubt that the product would be harmful to anything but I really have no idea what's in it. I'm just assuming that it works like similar phosphate binders.

Another approach is to use one of the phosphate sponge products. If you choose a phosphate sponge product, be sure to choose one that is iron oxide based and NOT aluminum oxide based. The aluminum oxide (alumina) products actually release small amounts of aluminum into saltwater over time and aluminum is toxic to invertebrates, especially leathers, at rather low levels. All you have to do with these products is put some in a mesh bag and place it in your sump just as you would with carbon. This would be my preferred method for dealing with phosphate.

[inwall75]

Marc Levenson tested this product and he did state that there was a definate hit on his alk. That must be the reason for the sticker on the bottle. He also found out that this product has some negative influence on yellow tangs but not other animals for some reason.

Apparently it is some sort of flocculant that binds P and it turns into a dust. (I'm guessing Iron phosphate but it could also be Calcium phosphate or Magnesium phosphate) which will need to be skimmed out or like Ninong says, it's only going to be a temporary effect.

[Ninong]

That's why I hate trying things when I don't know exactly what's in them. All the more reason to go with an iron oxide based sponge product instead.

[BubbaWPB]

I find the lack of ingredients on the labels one of the most frustrating parts of this hobby - you don't know if you're adding snake oil or anything else. I agree with Ninong, I hate to add something to the tank when I don't know what's in it.

[johnnydoe]

ok whats are the good phosphates remover that contains only iron ??

[Ninong]

ok whats are the good phosphates remover that contains only iron ??

Rowaphos: http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...hos.asp?CartId=

Phosban: http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...egory_Code=TLF

PhosLock: http://www.customaquatic.com/customa....asp?offset=15

[EnronExec]

I have been using phosphate sponges in a nylon sock for months and its hard to tell if its doing anything at all. I didnt know about the aluminum oxid based sponges. Now i'll be sure to avoid them. I do have a skimmer so ill give this product a shot. Thanks for all the input guys.

[MarineTrek]

I recently found this thread when researching Phos Buster after using it. Absolute mistake! I just want to reinforce the fact that this product is not safe for Tangs. Under no circumstance should you use this if you have Tangs. I lost mine last night after the guy at the fish store said it was great. I will no longer shop there any longer and since CaribSea does not want to acknowledge that their product is unsafe for Tangs I will never use another one of their products again.

[Ninong]

Hi Marine Trek,



Sorry to hear of your problems.

Try one of the iron oxide hydroxide phosphate adsorbers. They seem to cause no problems with fish. The only problems I have ever heard of with people who have used one of those products is that if they had a fairly high phosphate level to begin with, the sudden reduction in phosphate can sometime cause problems for some SPS.

Lots and lots of people use ROWAphos and similar iron oxide products without doing any harm to any of their fish.