I can't remember what Phosban is for some reason I never tried it and can't remember why? Anyway, it is supposed to remove Phosphates. Yes your plants need a small portion of phosphorus. Aquatic plants don't require a great deal of phosphate and usually most commercial ferts. have more than you need. The ideal ratio is 5-10ppm nitrate to .5-.1ppm phosphate. I like to keep mine .5ppm or below even if my nitogen did creep past 5ppm. Phosphates and plant lights can cause a good deal of algae. To keep phosphate down a I have used PhosGuard. PhosGuard or Phos-Zorb or any other similar product that uses aluminum oxide beads will work. Aluminum oxide doesn't release anything into the water (non-exchange resin) but adsorbs phosphates and silicates efficiently. When the white beads turn brown they are exhausted. To try a sample I would go with Phos-Zorb because you can get it in small pre-packed bags (like tea bags) that are inexpensive compared to bulk phosguard and others. If you like it then go with what is more cost effective. As far as PhosBan I am not sure other then it is ferric oxide hydroxide. I think it was price and ease of use that drove me off, I cant remember what specifically I may be confusing this with something else, but for one reason or another I went with PhosGuard/Phos-Zorb and it does work.

thank you, woeismme (again!!! you are soo helpful!). i was trying to get an order together to replace my aquaclear media....as needed that is. decisions, decisions.

well, perhaps i don't need a phosban, etc since i don't have an algae problem. even my diatoms are going away. that is unheard of in my past experience. i don't know if medications had an effect, epsom salts, or immunovital and natural aquarium vital...just noticed it is disappearing. maybve it is just the re-establishment of the tank.

what do you think about the ability to dissolve organics? is that hype? i thought nothing would take care of that except water changes.

now that i think about it, i haven't even tested for phosphate.