BRS High capacity GFO VS. Phosban

[BigBarnacles]

Well, my 75 gal mixed reef is coming up on its one year anniversary in March. Six months through I decided to switch from Phosban to BRS high capacity GFO to see what really worked better. I would give them both a six month run and take po4 tests weekly. Now, obviously this test isn't 100% scientific as the tank hasn't remained the same as far as fish and corals go. As far as the lighting, temp, amount of rock, water flow and feedings go everything has remained stable and nearly identical.
The result...Phosban has performed significantly better considering it had po4 leaching from the pukani dry rock to deal with. Po4 with Phosban ranged from 0.00-0.04 at worst. It was most often tested at levels of 0.00-0.01. The BRS high capacity GFO ranged from 0.01-0.10 with most often tested levels being 0.02-0.05. Algae has also been an issue with the BRS GFO and the tank did experience a cyano outbreak one month after switching to BRS GFO.
Hanna digital po4 tester was used for both forms of GFO and both were run through the same TLF reactor with the same recommended flow.
It should be noted that the BRS high capacity GFO also lasted a shorter amount of time compared to Phosban by an average of two to three weeks.

 

[Emisis]

Interesting to say the least. Very Interesting!!

 

[Hyperlitexr50]

I have only ran BRS gfo and do like the high capacity way better then the other one they sell. I am almost out of the BRS stuff and will sure give phosban a try after your tests thanks for the info. Is the phosban heavier and less dusty like the high capacity because I really like how it tumbles and rinses?

 

[Tangency]

Well, my 75 gal mixed reef is coming up on its one year anniversary in March. Six months through I decided to switch from Phosban to BRS high capacity GFO to see what really worked better. I would give them both a six month run and take po4 tests weekly. Now, obviously this test isn't 100% scientific as the tank hasn't remained the same as far as fish and corals go. As far as the lighting, temp, amount of rock, water flow and feedings go everything has remained stable and nearly identical.
The result...Phosban has performed significantly better considering it had po4 leaching from the pukani dry rock to deal with. Po4 with Phosban ranged from 0.00-0.04 at worst. It was most often tested at levels of 0.00-0.01. The BRS high capacity GFO ranged from 0.01-0.10 with most often tested levels being 0.02-0.05. Algae has also been an issue with the BRS GFO and the tank did experience a cyano outbreak one month after switching to BRS GFO.
Hanna digital po4 tester was used for both forms of GFO and both were run through the same TLF reactor with the same recommended flow.
It should be noted that the BRS high capacity GFO also lasted a shorter amount of time compared to Phosban by an average of two to three weeks.

Interesting... I had similar results (A minor cyano outbreak, higher phos levels, and shorter life with BRS) My results were tested with a salifert kit.

 

[BigBarnacles]

I have only ran BRS gfo and do like the high capacity way better then the other one they sell. I am almost out of the BRS stuff and will sure give phosban a try after your tests thanks for the info. Is the phosban heavier and less dusty like the high capacity because I really like how it tumbles and rinses?

Seemed to rinse the same. Didn't "clog" up as much as the BRS GFO.

 

[Emisis]

Seemed to rinse the same. Didn't "clog" up as much as the BRS GFO.

I noticed this too, just never went through the testing the differences in phos levels. I always replaced it at 1 month intervals. I'm going to have to check more often now with these results since I am now running minimal BRS GFO.

I'll add that I also got the phosban 150 running the GFO instead of using a BRS reactor.

 

[Joe5688]

Weird u say u got a cyno outbreak.from the brs. Walt said he had the same issue.

 

[tkh]

Does the reactor itself make a difference? I'm hoping to pick up a reactor this weekend during the group buy with BRS, so was curious which reactor you would recommend. Thank you for the heads up on the media itself though, I'll be sure to pick up the phosban variety!