Phosphates and silicates in aquarium water can lead to algae growth, which then depletes oxygen in water, endangering fish and plants.

Aquavitro Phosfiltrum has ultra-high capacity at binding and removing phosphate and silicate in both freshwater and saltwater, and it does not release the phosphates and silicates back into water. As phosphates and silicates are permanently removed from the water, this helps to minimise the growth of algae.

Advantages

Phosfiltrum is a specially formulated, high-density, granular ferric oxide (GFO). It will rapidly remove phosphates and silicates from both freshwater and saltwater and will not release them back into your aquarium. It is much harder and consequently much less fragile than other GFOs, so it will not break apart into fine particles in your tank. It has the highest binding capacity of any phosphate remover on the market, so it will last much longer before it needs to be replaced. Its distinctive dark brown colour identifies it as the premier product in the industry.

Directions

For best results, Phosfiltrum should be rinsed before use and placed so as to maximize the flow of water through it but not so that it tumbles against itself in flow. It may be used in a canister filter, media chamber, box filter, or any high flow area of a trickle filter. Use of a filter bag is recommended. Use 50 g (1/4 cup) for every 300 L (75 US gallons) saltwater or 600 L (150 US gallons) freshwater.

Leave product in place for 4 days, then test phosphate or silicate concentrations with either MultiTest Phosphate or MultiTest Silicate. If the concentration of the component you are trying to decrease has not dropped to around 0.02 mg/L, then replace the Phosfiltrum, otherwise leave in place until levels begin to climb again. As long as concentrations remain under control, the product is not exhausted. Over treating is not recommended. Phosfiltrum is not an exchange resin and does not release anything into the water. It does not leach phosphate or silicate back into the water and may be removed, dried, and returned to service until exhausted. Continuous use of small quantities is better than intermittent use of larger quantities.

FAQ

1: You claim that Phosfiltrum has a high capacity, but Company X claims that their GFO has a capacity that is many times higher. Is this false advertising?

A: It is actually quite easy to change the apparent capacity of a GFO during testing. If the capacity of a GFO is tested at an extremely low pH with a phosphate concentration that is much higher than the media can completely, the media will temporarily absorb much more phosphate than it would under ordinary aquarium conditions. We have no interest in artificially puffing up our numbers, so the capacity we have listed is the amount of phosphate that the media can completely remove (without releasing back into the water) in a pH of 8.4.

2: Can I use Phosfiltrum in a media reactor?

A: We do not recommend it, as the tumbling action of a media reactor can cause this media to produce dust. It may be possible if you can turn the flow of the reactor down low enough that the media does not tumble, but in general, it is better to place the media in a bag in your filter.

3: How is this different from PhosGuard, PhosBond, and PhosNet?

A: The main difference between these medias is capacity. PhosGuard has the lowest capacity at 0.82 mg/g of PO4 bound, but is the most economical of the four medias. PhosBond has a higher capacity than PhosGuard at 1.19 mg/g of PO4 bound, and combines the benefits of PhosGuard and a pure GFO (strength, high capacity, and rapid phosphate absorption) while still being very economical. PhosNet has the highest capacity of the Seachem phosphate absorbers at 1.41 mg/g of PO4 bound, and is a pure GFO media. Phosfiltrum is a super-high capacity GFO (1.71 mg/g of PO4 bound) that produces very little dust. This media has a higher capacity than any other GFO on the market.