The Bottom Line
This product is by far, the most convenient and easy to use phosphate "sponge" that I've tried. Seachem has developed a polymner-type bead that activates in system water to attract phosphate molecules and hold them within their matrix. This means that once saturated, the media will NOT leach excess phosphates back into the water chemistry.
Pros
- Convenient and easy to use
- Will not leach excess phosphates back into the water.
Cons
- Requires containment (bag?) when used.
Description
- A polymner-type bead that activates in system water to attract phosphate molecules and hold them within their matrix.
- Convenient and easy to use phosphate "sponge".
- Once saturated, the media will not leach excess phosphates back into the water chemistry.
Guide Review - PhosGuard
Simply place the prescribed quantity (1 liter filters 300 gallons) into a mesh bag and rinse under tap water (watch out, the beads crackle and pop as they heat up while doing this). Place the bag in a high flow area for maximum benefit. Simply sitting the bag in the sump will not achieve the desired results. I keep mine in the overflow box along with some Matrix carbon (another Seachem product). No other phosphate scavenger out there today can remain in continuous use like PhosGuard.SeaTest kits prove my point. After the media is exhausted the test kit will indicate a slight rise in phosphates. This is your cue to replace the mesh bag with fresh product and either re-generate or discard the used beads. Read the label on re-generation techniques. Time between changes depends upon concentrations of original phosphates. I change my media every 4 months, regardless however. The packaging is clear and concise. The instructions are well written and easy to understand. Pricing varies from mail order houses, but the return on investment is better than other, similar products.
This one performs exactly as advertised!
