How does a scrubber compare to GFO (granular ferric oxide) phosphate removers like RowaPhos and PhosBan?
GFO’s do remove phosphate, although they may lower the pH while doing it. And they are expensive. Scrubbers remove phosphate, as well as nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, CO2 and metals, and do so while increasing the pH. And once built and installed, a scrubber does not need to be “refilled”. Also, if GFO bag or canister spills, or if you accidentally drop some in, the GFO will go everywhere throughout your sump/pumps/tank. If you drop algae in the tank, it’s no different from algae that’s already in the tank.
GFO’s remove phosphate, and they may lower the pH while doing it. And they are expensive to refill. Scrubbers remove phosphate, as well as nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, CO2 and metals, and do so while increasing the pH. And once built and installed, a scrubber does not need to be “refilled”. Also, if a GFO bag or canister spills, or if you accidentally drop GFO into the water, it will go everywhere throughout your sump/pumps/tank. If you drop algae in the tank, it’s no different from algae that’s already floating in the tank, or from feeding nori.
