Phosphate

[parmaker]

What should phosphate be testing at?

[rbursek]

0

[rbursek]

actually0-.03

[Penally]

it depends on what you keep in your aquarium as the other guys answering this thread have said 0 is best but that is for reef. if you decide to keep only fish then a little bit of phosphate will not be the end of the world. i would say though keep it as close to 0 as you can but do not panic if you can detect a reading

[rbursek]

High readings of PO4 can cause Algae out breaks just as easily in a Reef or FO tank.

[Penally]

true rbursk yes you are correct but in fish only lets be honest who cares, if you clean the glass regually and care about your aquarium it is not quite as critical as a reef set up where valuble corals are at risk of being covered by horrible algae. i do understand what you are trying to say and thank you for your very important and valid point

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I discuss phosphate levels and what to do about them in these articles:

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

Phosphate and the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners,
Part 4: What Chemicals May Detrimentally Accumulate
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php

[kevin2000]

Phosphate test kits are best used to determine the quality of the water before it goes into the aquarium.

Many people purchase phosphate test kits because they have algae issues .. however algae/cyano rapidly consume/sequester phosphates from the water column so your tank can be loaded with phosphates and your test kit often show zero phosphates.

IMO not the best investment.

[Penally]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12146398#post12146398 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kevin2000
Phosphate test kits are best used to determine the quality of the water before it goes into the aquarium.

Many people purchase phosphate test kits because they have algae issues .. however algae/cyano rapidly consume/sequester phosphates from the water column so your tank can be loaded with phosphates and your test kit often show zero phosphates.

IMO not the best investment.

absolutely kevin

[rbursek]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12146507#post12146507 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Penally
absolutely kevin

[rbursek]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12146507#post12146507 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Penally
absolutely kevin
Never did a quote before so that is why I screwed it up the first time. With that said I agree, test the MU and water used for water chages for PO4 before adding to tank, also I did not want to get into a debate and 6 pages later on PO4 in a reef or FO tank thing, and I do not think you did not want to either, that is why I did not respond to your acccurate and to the point post, it is called respect, I did that for you and you did the same, but Algae is ugly in either, and yes more detrimental to Corals then a FO tank, plus good food at times for the right fish!!!!!!!!!!

[Penally]

i have seen your thread and yes ok young man i do agree well done you are correct