ORDERS STOPPED for GROUP BUY: $14 per pound Phosban media

[Chin_Lee]

Its been a while since I set up a group buy and since I seem to enjoy the headaches and frustration of setting these things up, I thought its about time I try one again. So with all the recent talk about PHOSPHATES, lets go with Phosphate media.

CHANGE IN SUPPLIER TO BRING PRICE DOWN TO
$14 PER POUND.

Good news guys and gals
I have been able to contact the supplier of GFO and this company has confirmed that they do supply the granular and pellet GFO to "various companies" that sell this stuff as aquarium phosphate removal media.

If I can get enough interest for about 70-75 lbs, they will sell me a bulk granular drum of 75 pounds. After shipping and taxes, I think can bring the price of this GFO to $14 per pound.

Unfortunately they do not sell the high-capacity GFO media so they must acquire the high-capacity GFO media from another company.

We are at about 55 lbs right now and I need another 20 or so lbs to get the price down to $14.

If you do not feel comfortable with this change in supplier, please let me know if you want to withdraw your amount.

If you are still interested, I encourage you to add a pound or two to your order so I can bring the price down a couple of dollars per pound.


JUST BECAUSE I AM A SUCKER FOR PUNISHMENT, I WILL SHIP TO THOSE WHO CANNOT PICK UP LOCALLY BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO COVER YOUR OWN SHIPPING COSTS


ANY PAYMENTS BY PAYPAL PLEASE ADD 1.5% PAYPAL FEES

Canreef name Pounds Status Location
jkhchris 4 local
Scales 4 local
Skyloard 7 local
Wetcoast 3 local
SeahorseFanatic 5 local
Blaster 3 unconfirmed local
Targaboy78 6 local
PZReefer 3 local
Tang Daddy 5 local
imisky 5 local
Scumchug 3 Victoria, BC
Canadian 2 Victoria, BC
Swags 2 Victoria, BC
Christyf5 2 Nanaimo, BC
Robzilla 4 Castlegar, BC
Matt 4 Edmonton, ALTA
Railskinner 3 Red Deer, ALTA
Carpentersreef 8 Watervalley, ALTA
Asherah 2 Camrose, ALTA
Asmodeus 3 Brandon, MAN
Doug 3 unconfirmed Brandon, MAN
littlesilvermax 10 Winnipeg, MAN
Corpusse 3 Mississauga, ONT
Sobe 2 local
Renegade 4 local
fkshiu 3 local
Total 103

[Chin_Lee]

WOW Chin, thanks for doing this. Thats such a great deal. I'm in for 5 lbs Thanks. :lol:
PS - I can pick up locally

[michika]

WOW Chin, thanks for doing this. Thats such a great deal. I'm in for 5 lbs Thanks. :lol:
PS - I can pick up locally

:lol: :lol:

Have you ever used this product before, or do you know anyone who has?

[albert_dao]

I do. Works great.

[michika]

Two pounds then for me please. I'll obviously require shipping please. Greyhound okay?

[Chowder]

Hey Chin put me down for 4 Pounds.
Thanks, Chris

[Reefer Rob]

This is the GFO I'm using now, it seems to work well, and it has a nice even particle size.

Jeez Chin, the next time before I order something in, I'm calling you to see if you're doing a group order :mrgreen:

[fkshiu]

Aww man, I just picked up my bucket of GFO from the same place!

Hey Chin, any chance you could put in for a bucket of the super duuper RoX carbon from BulkReefSupply in the same group order?

[Pescador]

- this is NOT the same stuff as Rowaphos and I don't know where to get Rowaphos in bulk so if you know, please let us all know.


They have the High Capacity FO on their site that they say is the same as imported from Germany. Kinda looks more like Rowaphos in the pictures.
If it is the same stuff compared to Premium Aquatics 5 kilo (11lb) Rowa for $249 works out to $22.60 per lb.
Bulk Supply is $359 for 16lbs is $22.40 per lb.

It's tough to figure out the prices on the smaller Rowaphos cuz they are packed by volume not weight but I'm paying $70 for 1000ml.

I'd be in for splitting a bucket of either of these.

[Renegade]

anyone know the differences between pellet form and high capability ?

very interested either way

wow theres some other interesting things on there site would also me interested in carbon and Magnesium Sulfate

Kyle

[Jason McK]

Hey Chin, any chance you could put in for a bucket of the super duuper RoX carbon from BulkReefSupply in the same group order?

Don't mean to make this more difficult that it already is.......:redface: I'd be into some of that.

J

[michika]

I'd be into it too.

[Chowder]

I would also be in for the carbon as well

[Jason McK]

Sorry Chin, If you want us to seperate into another thread and GB let us know

J

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Here's an eBay bulk Rowaphos ad.

http://cgi.ebay.com/RowaPhos-Phosphate-Removal-5-Kg-Bucket_W0QQitemZ120162034347QQihZ002QQcategoryZ207 56QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1 638.m118

[Reefer Rob]

If that's the same carbon as the Matrix Carbon which it seems to be, I'd into some of that. If you need to have it shipped up on a pallet it can be dropped off at my shop. Perhaps there's a way we can individually pay Bulk Reef Supply for our share of the order.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

One site claims that Pura Phoslock is the same stuff as Rowaphos.

[Scales]

Hi. I am currently using Rowaphos - does anyone have any "warnings" with respect to switching to the "Phosban" (unfortunately I do not have time right now to research this issue on my own). In the absence of any significant issue, I am in for 2 pounds and can pick-up.

Thanks.

Trevor

[Matt]

I was thinking of doing something like this for the Edmonton Area, too. I'm not sure there's any benefit in a group buy to BC, unless someone volunteers to truck it back to us. If so, I'd be good for a couple of pounds.

Matt

[Pescador]

Here's an eBay bulk Rowaphos ad.

http://cgi.ebay.com/RowaPhos-Phosphate-Removal-5-Kg-Bucket_W0QQitemZ120162034347QQihZ002QQcategoryZ207 56QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1 638.m118

The same price as Premium Aquatics.

[Skimmerking]

I will take a lb of phosban to chin would you be able to ship it on the grey hound to Brandon , let me know ok .

[andresont]

I am in for 2 lbs.
will pick up.
PM'ed.
Thank you Chin for oganazing this group buy.

[skylord]

WOW Chin, thanks for doing this. Thats such a great deal. I'm in for 5 lbs Thanks. :lol:
PS - I can pick up locally

Ya...What Chin said....Thanks Chin for doing this!

I'm in for 5lbs too
I can pick up

If you choose to expand what your going to order let us know so we can respond appropriately.

Scott

[Chin_Lee]

Hi Chin, I'm in for 2#'s of phosban media. Please keep me posted. Tyson.

2 lbs for Scumchug

[Chin_Lee]

Sorry guys I have no plans to expand beyond phosphate media at this time.
I would rather expand later because the shipping cost doesn't make it much cheaper with more items. I am hoping Customs will bypass any duty if its for a hobby club of some sort.

Running total moved to first post

[Matt]

2 lbs for Matt. Any other Edmonton orders can piggyback with me to minimize/share shipping costs. I'll accept either the granulated or pelletized FO. Not interested in the high capacity.

Cheers,
Matt

[Skimmerking]

I take it this will work in the phosban reactor i take it just checking I'm new to the reactor thingy...

oh ya is this stuff better then tropic marin elim phos

[wetcoast]

I'm in for 3 pounds.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Just bought 1000ml of Rowaphos, but put me down for 3 lbs too I guess. Gotta support a buddy's group buy:biggrin:

[Chin_Lee]

Just bought 1000ml of Rowaphos, but put me down for 3 lbs too I guess. Gotta support a buddy's group buy:biggrin:
don't need to support it just for fun bud. But judging by the way you feed, you are going to need 12 lbs :mrgreen:

[Chin_Lee]

Anybody else interested in this?

[corpusse]

put me down for 2 lbs. If you want me to pay in advance since I rarely post on this board let me know.

[Matt]

Thanks, Chin. Let's get 'er done. These phosphates ain't gonna adsorb theyselves, you know!

[blaster]

i'll grab 3 pounds if i could

[fishoholic]

Pm'd you

[robzilla]

for a typical 2 fishes reactor, how many refills does 1 pd do?

[targaboy78]

PM'd you.
I'm in for 3lbs.

Thanks

[Railskinner]

PM'd you

I'm in for 2 lbs -Red Deer, AB - Greyhound or even Canada Post

[Chin_Lee]

Carpentersreef (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/member.php?u=193) http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif vbmenu_register("postmenu_", true);
Member

Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Water Valley, AB
Posts: 746


http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/images/icons/icon1.gif group buy Phosban
Hello Chin,

I would like to order 5 lbs of the Phosban media.
Shipping would be to Cochrane, Alberta.
I will keep watching the thread for instructions.

Thank you,
Mitch

[robzilla]

sign me up for 2lbs, and 2lbs for my brother,
4 pounds in total.


thanks
rob

[littlesilvermax]

I would prefer the high capacity stuff. It seems to remove twice as much, but not cost twice as much.

This would also make shipping better.

If you go for the high capacity stuff I will be in for 10 lbs!

If not I will think about it.:biggrin:

[littlesilvermax]

Also , if anybody wants to do the carbon I will also buy lots of it, maybe 20 lbs!

I don't like to mess around.:wink:

[Chin_Lee]

I would prefer the high capacity stuff. It seems to remove twice as much, but not cost twice as much.

This would also make shipping better.

If you go for the high capacity stuff I will be in for 10 lbs!

If not I will think about it.:biggrin:

sorry but I'm not going to change the product at this point in time. I read the product description and it says the HC GFO is able to remove roughly twice as much phosphate for the same volume of material.

That "ROUGHLY" clause is not good enough for me to justify the increased cost. I don't know if they can elaborate on "roughly" but the cost difference between the two is $13.33 per lb and $20 per lb. Rounding the numbers up, I could also say the HC GFO "roughly" twice the cost of the regular GFO but its really its 1.5 times the cost.

[Skimmerking]

when ya getting the stuff Chin. :mrgreen:

[littlesilvermax]

sorry but I'm not going to change the product at this point in time. I read the product description and it says the HC GFO is able to remove roughly twice as much phosphate for the same volume of material.

That "ROUGHLY" clause is not good enough for me to justify the increased cost. I don't know if they can elaborate on "roughly" but the cost difference between the two is $13.33 per lb and $20 per lb. Rounding the numbers up, I could also say the HC GFO "roughly" twice the cost of the regular GFO but its really its 1.5 times the cost.

OK, I will get the normal stuff. The thing is the cost of getting it from you to me.

I will see what locals here want to do, I may just buy my own pail, but you never know.

God luck on the GB though, great idea.:wink:

[Chin_Lee]

when ya getting the stuff Chin. :mrgreen:
Mike
i'm going to order it this week.

[Canadian]

I'm in for 2LBS if still available.

[PzReefer]

great idea chin i will take 3 pounds

[michika]

Sorry, but I will have to pass and give up my 2lbs. I just found an unopened container in my supply box.

[Myka]

If you end up getting any HC GFO I would buy that. I like the HC just because I don't have to replace it as often. LOL.

[Chin_Lee]

Good news guys and gals
I have been able to contact the supplier of GFO and this company has confirmed that they do supply the granular and pellet GFO to "various companies" that sell this stuff as aquarium phosphate removal media.

If I can get enough interest for about 70-75 lbs, they will sell me a bulk granular drum of 75 pounds. After shipping and taxes, I think can bring the price of this GFO to $14 per pound.

Unfortunately they do not sell the high-capacity GFO media so they must acquire the high-capacity GFO media from another company.

We are at about 55 lbs right now and I need another 20 or so lbs to get the price down to $14.

If you do not feel comfortable with this change in supplier, please let me know if you want to withdraw your amount.

If you are still interested, I encourage you to add a pound or two to your order so I can bring the price down a couple of dollars per pound.

[tang daddy]

Chin if it's not too late please put me down for 5lbs thx Chris

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

OK Chin. Put me down for 5 lbs instead of 3 lbs.

I'll post an ad for you in BCAquaria to see if any other local reefers are interested.

Anthony

[skylord]

As my PM said...Im good for 7 lbs.

Scott

[asherah]

I'll go for 2 pounds ! I just ran out of GFO =)

asherah

[MitchM]

PM sent-

(5 pounds up to 8 pounds)

I don't envy you dividing up that drum!:wink:

Mitch

[Matt]

I'll go from 2 lbs to 4 lbs.

[Scales]

2 pounds to 4 pounds. Thanks.

[Railskinner]

2lbs to 3lbs

[littlesilvermax]

Good work buddy!

Put me down for 10 lbs, please!:mrgreen::mrgreen:

[littlesilvermax]

It looks like that gets us to over 30 lbs more. Hope I can still get in. If I can't it is OK.

[Matt]

By the way, in case it hasn't been said loudly enough or often enough: Thank you, Chin!

[imisky]

Hey Chin is this group deal still on?? if it is put me down for 3lbs and i'll ask a friend of mine to see if he wants to join in on the order. do you require the payment upfront? or when we go pick it up

[Swags]

Hi Chin,
Please put me down for 2 lbs. Can I send you an e-mail transfer?
Cheers,
Phil

[Chin_Lee]

you're welcome guys. I'm waiting for a few more replies from the list of people who've already committed and then I will close the buy. Anybody who wishes to participate before I close will get in.

FYI - the drum is 75 minimum and I don't know what the maximum is but i believe its around 100. Will confirm with supplier and let you all know.

This is a crazy amount of GFO!!!!

[Matt]

I'm assuming that much will be shipped on a slow truck. I'm figuring a few weeks before delivery, Chin?

[Skimmerking]

Chin thanls again let me know when you want me to pay pal you ok

mike

[Renegade]

Chin i'm down for 4 pounds

Kyle

also what supplier did you end up using ??? just interested in taking a look at there site to see what else they have.

[fkshiu]

Alright Chin, ya gots to me - put me down for 3 lbs.

Any word on whether you can get a deal on the carbon?

[imisky]

hey Chin, i just got a message from my friend and he wants 2lbs, so could you change my 3lbs to 5lbs? thanks!:biggrin:

[Chin_Lee]

OK GUYS AND GALS.
THATS IT FOR THE GROUP BUY.

We are over the 100 lb mark and I've forgotten to add myself to the list. :lol:

I've put through the order and waiting for response at this time.

[Matt]

I'm sure you can short some of us who "bought up" -- don't leave yourself out of the buy!

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Yeah Chin. If you need some of the Phosban media, drop me back down to 3 lbs & take the 2 extra I added.

[Chowder]

You can take My extra pound too.

[Scales]

Please feel free to "adjust" me down a pound if necesary.

[littlesilvermax]

You can drop me down 1 lb, maybe 2.:wink: I am sooo generous.


You can actually do what you need with me.:lol:

[skylord]

I can go back to the original 5.......

Scott

PS Chin is gonna end up with half the order....lol

[Matt]

Just give everyone 15oz lbs. You'll feel like a proper 'dealer' then.

XD

[Chin_Lee]

I'm receiving the shipment on January 25.

I will not need to decrease anybody's orders thanks for offering.

I am hoping to have the GFO ready for pickup on January 27th for local picksup.

I will look to ship out the GFO on Monday January 28.

[Chowder]

Thanks for all your hard work Chin. Will see you next week.:biggrin:
Chris

[Canadian]

Thanks for doing all the grunt work Chin!

I won't be back to Vancouver until the evening of February 1st. Are you ok with me waiting that long to come by to pick up and pay?

[Skimmerking]

Cool Chin thanks man let us know when to pay ya

[Chin_Lee]

I've received the shipment and I will be spending a portion of my weekend spliting it up.

LOCALS:
I will be in and around my place this weekend - I live in Surrey in the vicinity of 144 Street and 72 Avenue. Please call me to make appointment and I will send all the locals a PM with my two phone numbers and address information.
Although I am a very social person and I would love to show you my tanks, my wife is in the midst of doing report cards for her classes. Due to the high number of people I will be expecting to come over, I will respectfully ask that locals just come and pick it up. I will TRY to have change but please bring exact change otherwise I will gladly accept the implied commission fees.

Another option is I will be working in Richmond in the vicinity of Richmond Center Mall (Richmond City Hall) next week from Tuesday to Friday between the hours of 12-10 pm. If you want to pick it up in Richmond, please let me know via PM.


SHIPPING REQUIRED:
Everyone who required shipping, please send me a PM with your shipping address and shipping preference - your options are Greyhound or Canada Post.
Greyhound will be from station to station and I will give you the option to pay for delivery fees upon picking it up from the station.

Canada Post will be to your door and I will give you the final price after I've shipped it. All shipments will be standard mail delivery with insurance for tracking purposes.

Thanks
Chin Lee

[littlesilvermax]

Paid, I got my tracking number already.

Thanks a bunch!

ps: I sent you a little bit extra for all your hard work, I think others might want to do the same as Chin_Lee in reality actually lost money on all this if you consider his time and misc shipping expenses.

[Skimmerking]

Paid, I got my tracking number already.

Thanks a bunch!

ps: I sent you a little bit extra for all your hard work, I think others might want to do the same as Chin_Lee in reality actually lost money on all this if you consider his time and misc shipping expenses.

your a brown noser Ben :mrgreen: or you can be like me and send him the wrong amount :lol:

[littlesilvermax]

your a brown noser Ben :mrgreen: or you can be like me and send him the wrong amount :lol:

No I'm not.

You know how much work it is to package a whole bunch of stuff up, then ship it all?

You gotta find boxes, make sure everything is packaged up well for delivery, either input all the details on line, or spend an hour at the post office.

[littlesilvermax]

Crap, now I feel bad for not giving him even more.

Chin, I just sent a few more dollars your way.

[Skimmerking]

No I'm not.

You know how much work it is to package a whole bunch of stuff up, then ship it all?

You gotta find boxes, make sure everything is packaged up well for delivery, either input all the details on line, or spend an hour at the post office.

Ben I was joking man, I think you took me serious there. :smile:

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Picked mine up today. Thanks for doing all the running around & organizing for this group order. And yes, I think it is a GREAT idea to throw in a few extra $$ for all the work & time Chin put into saving all of US big bucks.

Anthony

[Chin_Lee]

hey thanks all. Extra $$ is greatly appreciated and really not expected.
I knew what I was getting myself into but I will restate my beliefs in that:
"Group buys are rewarding but not fun to organize" :lol:

[robzilla]

thanks again Chin, appreciate all the extra work and effort on your part :)

[robzilla]

WOW is Canada post fast.
chin sent out the stuff on the 28th and i just recieved the package in my mailbox today.
stuff looks good, i'll be changing out my media soon

thanks again Chin

[christyf5]

ditto on that, I got mine today too!

thanks Chin!! YOU ROCK!!:mrgreen:

[skylord]

Dang...I just live across the river and I cant get to him......

Scott

[Chin_Lee]

wow that was fast. it just went out yesterday at noon!

scotty - wait for the snow melt and then come over. no worries

[scumchug]

Got mine today! Thanks so much for doing this Chin.

[littlesilvermax]

Looks like Canada Post is good for something!

[christyf5]

Looks like Canada Post is good for something!

Seems so! :biggrin:

[Doug]

How can you tell when someone has little ones. When your package comes in a Hungry Hippo box. :lol:

Although we had a laugh over that and the names on the box, Mike Asmodeus & Doug Waterfield, the packaging and shipping of the phosphate remover is much appreciated.

Thank-you Chin. :mrgreen:

[Chin_Lee]

How can you tell when someone has little ones. When your package comes in a Hungry Hippo box. :lol:

Although we had a laugh over that and the names on the box, Mike Asmodeus & Doug Waterfield, the packaging and shipping of the phosphate remover is much appreciated.

Thank-you Chin. :mrgreen:
well thanks to you guys, my kids Hungry Hippos have lost all their marbles :)

[Matt]

Random bump for happiness! My reef is now almost algae free! It has taken quite a lot of the GFO to do it, the algae tried to return twice, but is now on the run!

All praise to GFO and Two Little Fishies!!!

[Myka]

I shoulda hopped on this wagon...anyone order more than they really wanted?? I'll buy a pound or two off someone.

[Myka]

No eh? Haha! I didn't think so...

[Chin_Lee]

I just wanted to post my own experience with this material.
EQUIPMENT:
I am using a modified phosban reactor
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=37940
which is using a Mag7 for flow through the chamber. The flow through the chamber is dependent on the amount of media I put into the chamber as the resistance increases therefore decreasing the flow.

REFUGIUM:
Around the same time, I also plumbed in a 40g refugium with a lot of chaeto, caleurpa taxiflora, and gracillaria. At the bottom of the refugium, I placed 1" of Mineral Mud and .5" of sand.

PREVIOUS MEDIA:
Before the group buy I had purchase a 1200g of TLF Phosban (for $90 which translate to 2.6 lbs at $34/lb.......... :surprise:)
I put in about 1 lb of TLF Phosban into my reactor and I rinsed it out with fresh water. I then let it run for about 3-4 days, and the red dust did not stop. I was not able to get the red dust to stop and a good amount of this red dust began to show up on my rocks. I was lazy and didnt' do anything about it.
Hair algae growth slowed but still quite abundant.

GROUP BUY MEDIA:
Soon after the group buy, I changed out the media and placed a sponge filter on the output inside the chamber. Media was rinsed and put inline. The sponge trapped a lot of bigger particles but not the smaller particles. I have now placed a fliter sock on the output hose of the reactor and this sock needs to be rinsed out weekly. THE DUST DOES NOT STOP coming out.
Hair algae had died off drastically by this point.

A month later, I changed the media again and hair algae is GONE!

RESULTS:
The combination of this media and refugium has definitely snuffed out my hair algae problem. It also helped to have so much of this media and being able to use it liberally.
Since I started putting a filter sock on the output of the reactor, the red dust is no longer visible on my rocks - so no harm done.

WHY DUST:
I believe my reactor design is the cause of the red dust but I cannot confirm this until I modify it. Unlike the phosban reactors, my reactor design does not elevate the media off the bottom and disperse the flow through a diffuser plate. Currently my media sits at the bottom of the chamber and the velocity and pressure of the water flow to keep the media fluidized is very direct. I believe that this causes the media to collide with each other too much force causing the red dust to form.
I believe if I were to put a diffuser plate at the bottom and let the diffused flow through the plate (similar to the Phosban reactors), I will have less red dust.

I should note that the red dust started with the TLF Phosban and continued with the Group Buy Phosban.

Does anybody else run into any "red dust" problems?

[Skimmerking]

chin i had the same problem my aglae that i have been fighting since dec06 is finally going away . and i do get some red dust i dont rinse i fill and run about a gallon of water through thereactor and then it goes away.

[christyf5]

I run the output of my phosban reactor directly into a filter sock. Before running the output into the sump I run about a gallon or two into a bucket to get out the major particulates and then turn the reactor off to let everything settle, then carefully ramp up the flow to where I want it. Anything that makes it through the sock is likely to settle in the sump. I've never had issues with any red dust in the main tank. Theres so much algae and particulates that build up on the inside of the sock it makes it hard to determine just how much red dust is making it into the sock. I would say it settles down after the first couple of hours.

[wetcoast]

My skimmer and my sump has a nice layer of red scum on it, and my clear tubing has turned a strange shade of crimson. I attribute this to putting far too much flow into my reactor at first. I as well run the output into a sock - which catches the big stuff.

I haven't had success with my hair algae yet, am trying a few methods (livestock, GFO, refugium, plucking). I will be ramping up my GFO output and hopefully this will disappear soon - I want to stock with corals!