Carbon and Fluval Clearmax Questions

[MNFishGuy]

Hi

I am setting up a 40 gallon reef and was planning on using a canister to hold some filter media. I was thinking of carbon and Fluval Clearmax to trap phosphate. I have never used Clearmax before - is this a good idea? If so, how much should I put in and how often does it need to be changed? Also, the same question for carbon, how much and how often should I change it? I appreciate any advice, thanks!

[Chasman]

MNFishGuy

I use a Fluval 205 on a 30gal just for running carbon. I assume the Clearmax would be used in combination with carbon. I use Chemi-Pure Elite which has ferric oxide in it which is what the Clearmax product probably is. Thus one product does the carbon and ferric oxide treatment in one bag. I use one 10 oz. bag and change it every three to four weeks. The Chemi-Pure product seems to be well liked by most of the people on this forum. But if you hunt around long enough you will find people that think it's pure poison. So who knows. I like it and I have not had big issues with Red Cyno or green hair algae.

[MNFishGuy]

Thanks for you help!

[MNFishGuy]

So I contacted Hagen, and after a few questions, they told me that I would be better off using Fluval Phospate Remover in a reef because they Clearmax might irritate sessile inverts....

They recommended Clearmax for fish only, but I'm kind of skeptical about it all together now...