Monthly Archives: May 2008

Phosphate Reactor Review

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PhosBan Aquarium Phosphate Reactor 150

  There are certain pieces of equipment that every reefer should have to maintain a healthy thriving marine reef aquarium, such as a skimmer and lighting to name a couple. Aside from these two key components, a serious reef should consider using a phosphate remover in a phosphate reactor.

  Phosphate reactors are designed to move water from a small powerhead down a tube and up through it’s media, or at least the two little fishies phosban reactor is.  This upward flow enables the phosphate media more time in contact with the water while being evenly dispersed in the flow to enable the full use of the media.  Unlike throwing a bag of phosphate remover in the sump, the phosphate reactor utilizes all of its phosphate media in its reactor.

  The Two Little Fishies phosphate reactor is easy to hook up all you need is a small pump such as a maxi jet 400 and a couple of feet of 1/2″ tubing. I prefer to use zip ties on all the hook ups to avoid any possible leaks or mishaps.  Once it is set and in place its as easy as just unplugging the inlet and outlet tubes to clean the reactor or to add new media to it. 

  I suggest to anyone that is having an algae problem to look into one of these reactors, while it is not a miracle algae remover it will cut down on the algae’s main nutrient, phosphate.  If you choose not to use a phosphate media you can always run activated carbon in the reactor.

How to take care of a plate coral

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   Plate corals are interesting specimens to have in a marine reef aquarium. They are considered solitary polyps which are closely related to the fungia family.  They are sometimes misidentified as anemones and at first glance you can see why. 

  Taking care of a plate coral is rather simple as they are considered photosynthetic but they do appreciate a feeding once or twice a month of meaty foods such as chunks of shrimp.  It is a slow eater so take care that your other reef tank inhabitants don’t steal its food, I sometimes use a plastic carton that strawberries come in to cage the plate coral while feeding to prevent my shrimp from grabbing a quick meal.

  Plate corals should be placed on a bed of sand or fine pebbles and you may want to block them in position by moving small rocks near the coral, this will prevent your plate coral from inflating and trying to drift away.  Maintaining proper calcium levels at around 420ppm will help the plate coral build and maintain its calcium skeleton.  Good lighting is required as it is a photosynthetic creature.  Flow must be adequate enough to gentily move its tentacles.

  You should take great care when moving a plate coral, its flesh is very delicate and its calcium skeleton can easily tear through it if moved.  The easiest way for me to move my plate coral is to cup my hand underneath it and pick it up that way so to avoid flesh damage. 

  The above picture is of my plate coral which is just a plain brown, however they can be many colors including purple and neon green.  The picture above also contains a yellow watchman goby.