Maintaining the levels of waste products low while feeding your animals on a regular basis is essential for keeping invertebrates and fish in good health. In microbial well balanced aquaria, the two major pollutants are nitrates and phosphates. With current use of NP-Reducing BioPellets, it has become very easy to maintain nitrates and phosphate levels close to zero, however, in most tanks there is still a surplus of phosphates. Phosphate levels exceeding 0.03 ppm will negatively affect coral growth and higher levels will also negatively influence the health of your fish. In addition, high phosphate levels enhance the growth of annoying algae and cyanobacteria. Most of current phosphate reducing products are based on granular ferric hydroxide and leak iron-ions into your tank, which is enhancing algae growth and inhibiting coral growth and have a tendency to start clumping together, thus reducing its effectiveness.
Almost every other iron based GFO is releasing iron-ions to the water up to 10 times more than natural seawater levels. This is tested and confirmed at the university of Wageningen, Holland. The tests were done with a inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer.
The novel PO4X4 Phosphate Remover is a unique chemical engineered polymer based mini pellets that does not have these down sides. In other words, there is hardly any leaking of Iron-ions, the pellets do not clump together and can be readily used in fluidized filters. They have a very high surface area and can absorb approximately 4 times more phosphate then most other phosphate removing products. 250 ml will remove 3 ppm of phosphate and silicate from roughly 8.000 liter of fresh water or 4.000 liter of marine water. Do not overdose! Rapid changes in phosphate can negatively affect your animals. Use small amounts of PO4X4 to gradually lower the phosphate levels in your aquarium.
PO4X4 is now available in 250ml and 500ml. And the best bit, it can be regenerated.
Product information PO4X4 Phosphate Remover is a unique chemical engineered polymer based mini pellets that will specifically remove phosphate approximately 4 times more efficient then most GFOs. The PO4X4 polymer is bound to very pure FeOH2. Both the polymer as well as the Iron molecules are able to bind PO4 and by combining these we increased the binding effiency. In addition,PO4X4 contains only Ironhydroxide, normal GFOs consist of a mixture of ironhydroxide as well as ironoxide and only the first form can bind phosphates. This means that PO4X4 with its higher content of Ironhydroxide can bind much more PO4 then your average GFOs can.
500 ml will remove 3 ppm of phosphate and silicate from roughly 16.000 liter of fresh water or 8.000 liter of marine water. Use fluidized filter systems for optimal results, a canister filter can also be used. Do not overdose ! Rapid changes in phosphate can negatively affect your animals. Use small amounts of PO4X4 to gradually lower the phosphate levels in your aquarium. Replace or regenerate (see PO-X4 regeneration salt) your pellets when phosphate levels start to increase again.
How to regenerate:
To regenerate 250 ml of PO4X4 , slowly dissolve, in small steps, 150 gram / 5,3oz of regeneration powder in 4L / 1 gallon of water. Important: The regeneration solution contains corrosive compounds and we advice to handle with care and wear protective clothing at all time, such as rubber gloves and goggles. After dissolving the powder, add your PO4X4 pellets and incubate at room temperature for 24 hours in a closed bucket. Subsequently, wash the pellets thoroughly (5-10 times) in a large volume of phosphate free water until the effluent has a pH of approximately 8. The pellets are now ready to use for seawater aquaria. For fresh water an additional wash step with 20 gram / 0,7oz Salt in 1L / 0,25 gallon of water is required to lower the pH to approximately 7. Incubate the pellets for 2 hours at room temperature and subsequently wash 5 times with large volumes of phosphate free water.
PO-X4 Regeneration Salt warning:
POISON! DANGER! CORROSIVE. MAY BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED. HARMFUL IF INHALED. CAUSES BURNS TO ANY AREA OF CONTACT. REACTS WITH WATER, ACIDS AND OTHER MATERIALS.
Precautions: Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Do not breathe dust. Keep container closed. Use only with adequate ventilation. Wash thoroughly after handling.
First Aid: If swallowed, DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Give large quantities of water or milk if available. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes( lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally) or skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. In all cases get medical attention immediately.
