Leaderboard

Bought from AM recently. Reason of changing due to the space constraint in my nano. Wanted to sell the coral for ($10) and also willing to trade for any ric / yuma (open to topup too) Please drop me a pm (with pics if trading with coral). Thanks

As I just shifted my tank and rescaped. Decided to try out some researches before my main bulk of sps comes in. Lost quite a few old ones >< This write up is bout aluminium oxide (Al2O3) and ferrous oxide (FeO) in phosphate reduction + its pros and cons.. in case some reefers missed out on the old deal, and that i feel the latter is much much much safer to use. and that alumminium is pretty hazardous. Looks/Appearances - since most of us do not know whats in the box when we buy it Aluminium oxide - white powdery form, still available in market, sometimes pre-mixed in water. ( i think it can become yellow when mixed in water beforehand) Ferrous oxide - black/brown powdery form. this is the same as your rowa, pura and whatever brand you guys use. Reactions with water. Aluminum oxide - may be present in water both in alkalic form (2Al2O3(s) + 6H+(aq) -> Al3+(aq) + 3H2O(l)) and in acidic form (2Al2O(s) + 2OH-(aq) -> AlO2(aq) + H2O (l)) . (insoluble) It reacts based on different parameters of the water and forms a very strong bond in the water, which in turn is diffcuit to clear off and no marine life actually needs aluminium as supplements, which can result in aluminium poisoning if its used on a long run. more readup Aluminium and water in Reef Ferrous oxide/iron(II) oxide - is insoluble in alkali but dissolves in acid. The bond is not as strong aluminium oxide but the best part bout it is, when theres a reaction, iron has its uses in a reef tank though too much of course aint good. Iron usages and Reef usage Commercial form Aluminium oxide - comes usually in powdery form as mentioned above, if they come in bigger pieces like your rowa/pura the bond is too strong and reactions will be low. Ferrous oxide - come usually in granular form. Weaker bonds as itself, able to keep its form even with reaction. I am not too sure whats the end products of the reactions for both but ferrous oxide is tested and proven, even if it exhaust you still see it at the end of the year. Aluminium oxide Pros - reduces large amounts of phosphates(but not to zero) - cheap ( but removes your pants in the long run) - increases skimmage Cons - Strong bonds stay firm in water, no usage and cause poisoning even - Makes skimmage smell very strongly like burnt plastic - drives KH down. ( probably cause its not pure ) Ferrous oxide Pros - reduces large amounts of phosphates and can till zero - Safe/Reliable based on reactions and usage in a reef among the two - Tested and proven by even yourself Cons - expensive my brain stopped here let me update when i think off more. Analogy Aluminium is cheap but has many drawbacks which i have not even added in yet. It still can be used if you simply refused to change water but need to bring a high level phosphate infected tank down but definitely not on a long run basis. The smell's really bad trust me. This test material has been shelved till future accidents. For now back to ferrous oxide in FR. Some tests here. Phosban vs Rowa do correct me over any mistakes. what you pay is what u get.

Aquazonic has a 30 cm version.