Dosing Lanthanum Chloride to reduce PO4

[xenon]

I have a 1,200g fish system that costs us a small fortune in GFO.

I am just looking for feedback on what products you guys use and how exactly do you use it?

I have a jug of Sealer that I was planning to dilute to 1ml into 1000ml. Then dose it automatically via dosing pump directly into my 4' MRC Orca Pro III skimmer and have a 10 micron filter sock on the output of the skimmer.

The main question is how often will the filter sock need to be replaced?

I am also interested in products like Agent Green. ATM says its safe to dose to your tank without the need of any filter socks?

[Myka]

Imo, you should be dosing it either into a filter sock (some people suggest 10 microns, which is tough to do) or into the intake of your skimmer. Both Foz Down and Brightwell Aquatics Phosphate Destroyer are marketed for this use. Neither say their product is Lanthanum chloride, but both products work just like Lanthanum chloride, and there are many people that simply call it such.

Also, have you considered regenerating GFO? http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/10/chemistry

[xenon]

There seems to be plenty of "Lanthanum Chloride" products available but from my research, Seaklear was the preferred brand.

10 micron filter socks would need to be brought it from the U.S. but they are not hard to find.

I was just hoping others in Canada had some experience with it.

Recharging GFO is not something I am interested in doing but I appreciate the suggestion.

[Myka]

There seems to be plenty of "Lanthanum Chloride" products available but from my research, Seaklear was the preferred brand.

Yes, but it's not an aquarium brand. If you're ok with that, give'r.

10 micron filter socks would need to be brought it from the U.S. but they are not hard to find.

Not hard to find - PITA to use. Will clog up very quickly.

I was just hoping others in Canada had some experience with it.

I've used the Brightwell version recently. Years ago I used to use a product that I bought online - can't remember the name, it was "pure" LC. I've never used any LC product in a running system though, only ever in live rock tubs.

Recharging GFO is not something I am interested in doing but I appreciate the suggestion.

Works for me.

[George]

I also have been looking at Lanthanum Chloride to reduce phosphate. However I have read some comments on other sites by reputable posters saying that LaCl may irritate sensitive fish. Also the precipitate is smaller than 10 microns. I am too chicken to play with LaCl on my systems with some expensive fish which may or may not be sensitive to the precipitate.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by George

I also have been looking at Lanthanum Chloride to reduce phosphate. However I have read some comments on other sites by reputable posters saying that LaCl may irritate sensitive fish. Also the precipitate is smaller than 10 microns. I am too chicken to play with LaCl on my systems with some expensive fish which may or may not be sensitive to the precipitate.

Yeah, I think the precipitate is smaller than 10 microns. I'd just run it straight into the skimmer like biopellets. Like I said, I've never used it in a running system before, but my understanding is that the sensitivity to fish is only if the water becomes cloudy with the precipitate which is why people recommend to drip it instead of dump capfuls in. Some people I've seen running it drip into their first sump chamber and assume that the precipitate will settle out by the time it goes through the sump. My sump has about 6x turnover through it, and I don't think anything that is 10 microns or less is going to be settling in there!