I use my Fluval 404 on my 75 as pretty much a big reactor. I usually run a chem-pure/gfo mix (my own chem-pure el&ite concoction) in each of the 4 trays of the 404. The other day I was wondering through Petsmart to grab some media bags for my 404 and seen that they had Fluval clearmax in stock. The info on the packaging sounded promising as far as phosphate and nitrate removal so I grabbed a few boxes to ty out in the 404. In the 404 trays I alternated like so. Chem-pure, clearmax, chem-pure, clear max.

I am interested to see how it performs, just wondered if anyone else has used it with success, the price doesnt seem to bad either.

I like it thus far due to the size of the media pellets themselves and seems to have far less dust than GFO.

This is the Power Max from Kent, any one used this product in a canister? What about liquid additives to reduce PO4, do they work? Just not happy at all with Clearmax product.

Thanks, I have considered possible sources and can find none other than having a 5 gallon tank with two shrimp, two hermits, one damsel and various lps corals. I am careful about feeding and use a big skimmer for the size of the tank along with a canister. I do not have RO water but use distilled only in the tank. The PO4 is not that bad (1.0 ppm) but I would like to get it lower if possible.

Could the distilled water be a source? Hummm.

Not the distilled water, checked it. Could be the carbon, but I change it every month. I use Fluval carbon (says it does not release PO4).

+1 on the distilled water. Invest in a RO/DI unit or find someone that has one and buy some water off of him. For a 5g tank most guys be happy to give you a few gallons for the month.

If the clearmax is keeping your tank at a stable 1.0ppm then it is doing a damn good job which means without it your ppm would be very high.

My phosphat is at less than my test can show so I really dont know how well the stuff works as I dont have a phosphate problem. My guess is that it does a good job at removing any trace amounts I may have.