Phosphate Education Needed

[pesto]

Trying to learn more about phosphates. At what reading level should you become concerned? I use the API test kit and it read .50 at my last test on 3/14.

What is the best way to test, reduce and control phosphates in the reef aquarium?

 

[onefish]

they could be even higher if you have algae in the tank feeding off it. i suggest using phosban in a reactor if you dont already.

 

[pesto]

I have very little visible algae.

 

[onefish]

just for kicks i think i would try testing my source water and see what that reads. do you have a TDS meter on your RO/DI? i would check to see thats 0. phosban in a reactor on your tank should fix this IMO.

 

[Aquaman_68]

u need to start with ro/di water...u must have the tds at zero on ur product...other contributors of phosphates:

Suppliments
types of food
Amount of food u feed daily
r a few places to look at...
U need to do water changes regularly...the solution to polution is dilution...phosban is not the answer to the problem...

 

[pesto]

u need to start with ro/di water...u must have the tds at zero on ur product...other contributors of phosphates:

Suppliments
types of food
Amount of food u feed daily
r a few places to look at...
U need to do water changes regularly...the solution to polution is dilution...phosban is not the answer to the problem...

I use RO/DI filters - TDS Meter reads 0 and replace filters yearly, sooner if required.
Feed 3 cubes of Ocean Nutrition frozen food daily
25% water changes and carbon replacement every three weeks - Carbon in mesh bag in high water flow return line
Test water weekly and supplement Alk, Mag, Cal with Randy's 2 Part as required
2 tsp a week of Kent Tech I and Strontium/Molybdenum
3 tsp week of Roti Feast

 

[Aquaman_68]

yeah...ur phosphates r coming from food & suppliments...don't want to get in an online bashfest....Pm me..
B

 

[Bruno]

yeah...ur phosphates r coming from food & suppliments...don't want to get in an online bashfest....pm me..
B

lol haaaaa bring it

 

[AnthonyP]

What in randy's 2 part contains phosphates? I only use arm and hammer baking soda for alk.....does arm and hammerhave phosphates

 

[KSC]

Here's what RHF says about p04 in these supplimemts:

"I am not sure of the phosphate levels in all of the ingredients, but I do not think there is significant reason to be concerned with it."



__________________
Randy Holmes-Farley
Club 65535

Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

 

[Aquaman_68]

lol haaaaa bring it

u wanna fight?

 

[Aquaman_68]

Here's what RHF says about p04 in these supplimemts:

"I am not sure of the phosphate levels in all of the ingredients, but I do not think there is significant reason to be concerned with it."



__________________
Randy Holmes-Farley
Club 65535

Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

I don't think someone with a softie tank would need to worry either..... (mixed softie tank??? LOL) I don't think he has any sps...

 

[Cjtabares]

I don't think someone with a softie tank would need to worry either..... (mixed softie tank??? LOL) I don't think he has any sps...

What is your preferred way to supplement? I have been told, only 2nd hand info, that calcium media also can contain phosphates.

 

[pesto]

Back to my original question ...can someone enlighten me on the best way to reduce the phosphate?

 

[beckbrass]

Less feeding more water changes.

 

[JohnK]

Back to my original question ...can someone enlighten me on the best way to reduce the phosphate?

Controlling input is probably the biggest/first thing to pay attention to.

Controlling phosphate can be helped with; good skimming, growing cheato or other algae in refugims, carbon dosing, water changes, GFO, frequently removing detritis before it accumulates, and I'm sure some other things I didn't think of. There is no silver bullet though, usually a variety of things are done to control/manage/reduce phosphate.

 

[pesto]

I skim, grow cheato in my fuge, dose with carbon and do 25% water changes every three weeks. I will cut back on feedings and maybe go to an every other week water change schedule.

 

[JohnK]

It sounds like you feed a lot. I'd start by re-examining that.

When you said you dose with carbon, do you mean you run activited carbon, or you dose an organic carbon source? (Or both)

 

[pesto]

ESV Granulated Activated Carbon in mesh bag in high water flow return line. I change it every time I do a water change.

 

[JohnK]

OK, so you run activated carbon.

Organic carbon dosing (sugar, vinegar, vodka....) is another approach that may help with phosphate reduction. Not encouraging or discouraging it's use, just clarifying terms