phosphate problem

[fred11]

how do i keep under control phosphate .it reading at 0.5 ppm

 

[pallobi]

Water changes... gfo in a reactor... rinsing your frozen foods if you use them... and jus not over feeding in general... or over stocking...

Jus a few ideas...

 

[fred11]

thank u

 

[badlands25]

Rinsing frozen food in what?

 

[stingythingy45]

ro/di water....

 

[fred11]

sorry i for got to ask if po will kiil my fish and what gfo in a reactor what u mean bye not over stocking for got to mention this 2 that i just upgraded my tank on sat still learnig about salt water thank u guys

 

[GobyWanKenobie]

I use a phosphate pad in my tanks. It seems to work for me, and helps keep the water clear.

 

[WoodRiverTroutBum]

Over stocking is too many fish/crabs/snails for your tank. GFO is granular ferric oxide and can be bought at any of the online retailers and some LFS. Buy a phosban reactor (usually pretty cheap, probably $40-$90 depending on what you want) and run the GFO in that.


Edit* You just turned your tank to salt on Saturday? You shouldn't have any fish in it right now if you did. The other issue is your water if you aren't using RO water.

 

[fred11]

i had a 30g salt and i upgrade to a 40g on sat thank u for the info

 

[inverted]

First thing is keep organic phosphate low. Organic phosphate doesn't really have as many negative effects and can't be tested for, but can break down into problematic inorganic phosphate. So, basically, avoid detritus. If you need to feed a lot, break up the feedings and feed more often so everything is eaten before it settles. Keep the flow in the tank up to keep particles suspended and use a good skimmer so that they'll be removed. Water changes also help. So does GAC as it is very efficient at binding organics, which can contain organic phosphate. In my experience, GFO is always handy, just ramp it up slowly, adding too much at once can irritate or even kill some corals as some seem to be sensitive to sudden drops in PO4. Macro algae in a refugium can be very effective if is doesn't become limited by some other nutrient, such as nitrate or iron. Carbon dosing can also help if it dosn't become limited by another nutrient. It tends to drive denitrifying bacteria though, so, may drive nitrate down faster. Also, carbon dosing is tricky and can potentially crash your tank if you don't know what your doing, so, I'd start with the other stuff.

Here are some good articles on phosphate:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php

and GFO:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.php

 

[fred11]

thank u all

 

[WarSea378]

Since we are on the subject, I have been running a Two Little Fishes Phosban Reactor 150. I let the ferric oxide get a bit too old (2mos. over my usual 3mos. change up) and I saw an explosion* in hair algae. I should also include that I had moved it to my Sump/Refug prior to the "bloom" and have since moved it back to the main tank. I'm sure it was the media expiration and not the location since I have good flow, but I just feel a bit better having it in my main for now, haha. I replaced media and filled it (dry) to about 1/3rd the reactor, so fluid, it is a bit more than half full....

...Will the Phosban Reactor, with new media and new placement, be enough to knock back my hair algae problem? I'm open to a sea hare, but no more tangs... Maybe someone with a hungry sea hare would like to make a deal?

*by explosion I mean it literally took hold in a few days, then spread quickly... it seems to be held at bay now, but I want it GONE!!!