PDA

View Full Version : Phosphates issue!!!

Exoristos
06/05/2013, 09:11 PM
I just did my regular maintenance and I got phosphates in my tests! The indication was 0.25. The rest of the params are 0 Nitrites/Ammonia, 8.2 pH, 20 Nitrates, 480 CA, and 1.0245 sg. Temp steady at 77.8F.

How to deal with phosphates, and if I have anything grater than 0 after a 10% change how bad was it before that?????

Also, I am using a canister filter which I did 'surgery' to it on the inside and I added LR, sponges and active carbon.

45g tank 24x24x24
hollister
06/05/2013, 09:13 PM
Main source is the water supply then water flow and feeding habits or amount of stock.
Exoristos
06/05/2013, 09:22 PM
I do have dead spots in my tank which I am planning to fix by adding another power head. Water supply is an issue right now because I am not using RODI for top off but the saltwater I buy it from my LFS. Feeding habits: twice a day pallets, every other day at night I add mysis and oyster feast, and phyto once a day in the morning.
quantim0
06/05/2013, 09:30 PM
If probably stop the phyto for a while and just be sure you are feeding the appropriate amount of food so there is no waste.

If you're current po4 is .25 after a 10% water change it's safe to assume you had about .27-.28 po4 previously.
tallball158
06/05/2013, 09:35 PM
Phosphates could be leeching from the Live rock.
Exoristos
06/05/2013, 09:45 PM
how to handle this?
tatuaje08
06/05/2013, 09:56 PM
Only use rodi, water changes and clean out the canister every week.
tallball158
06/05/2013, 10:09 PM
Did you cure your live rock?
Exoristos
06/05/2013, 10:09 PM
I don't have a RODI system at my apartment yet. Any 'close' alternatives?
I am planning to buy a system after my vacations. (mid july)
dkeller_nc
06/05/2013, 10:18 PM
Most local fish stores that specialize in reef tank livestock also sell purified water. Typically, they also sell convenient 5 gallon jugs to tote it home in. In my area, RODI from a LFS typically costs in the $0.75 to $1.00 per gallon range.

A reasonable alternative for evaporation make-up would distilled water from the grocery store. Just make sure that you are getting distilled water, not "purified water for drinking".
hollister
06/05/2013, 10:19 PM
Walmart has good 5 gallon filtered water. I goto the water mill,they have a 7 stage filter system.Just have to buy a few 5 gallon containers.
TimeConsumer
06/06/2013, 05:18 AM
What are you using to test phosphate? If it is API the lowest on their scale is .25. Which means your phosphate could be somehere between 0 and .25 which is a very broad range and isn't telling you much. It's like trying to tell the salinity of your water by tasting it.

Stop using tap water.
Exoristos
06/06/2013, 01:49 PM
Did you cure your live rock?

How to do that? I did not know I have to do anything to the LR
Exoristos
06/06/2013, 01:50 PM
What are you using to test phosphate? If it is API the lowest on their scale is .25. Which means your phosphate could be somehere between 0 and .25 which is a very broad range and isn't telling you much. It's like trying to tell the salinity of your water by tasting it.

Stop using tap water.

Yes that is the one I am using and it starts from 0 and it goes up by .25 sections. Any others better than that?
tatuaje08
06/06/2013, 03:08 PM
Don't trust water from Walmart, just go to your lfs.
tallball158
06/07/2013, 12:22 AM
How to do that? I did not know I have to do anything to the LR

Just do a search on how to cure LR, there are some good videos on YouTube
Exoristos
06/07/2013, 12:37 AM
Just do a search on how to cure LR, there are some good videos on YouTube

I watched a video but it was for people that are starting their tanks now. My tank is already 9 months old
awais98
06/07/2013, 12:45 AM
Have you thought about exporting nutrients using macroalgae? Its a good economical way to get rid of phosphates
awais98
06/07/2013, 12:49 AM
Hanna Phosphate ULR HI 736 Ultralow checker goes into ppbillion. thats the best i know money can buy without breaking your wallet. Cost about 50 bucks, check at amazon.

Yes that is the one I am using and it starts from 0 and it goes up by .25 sections. Any others better than that?
Exoristos
06/07/2013, 12:53 AM
Have you thought about exporting nutrients using macroalgae? Its a good economical way to get rid of phosphates

I am not familiar with this method so I will have to do my research. Also, today I did something that I should have done a while ago...I bought a skimmer :)

A cheap one but it seems that it is already working to some extend...
tallball158
06/07/2013, 01:20 AM
You could also try a GFO reactor.
TimeConsumer
06/07/2013, 01:49 AM
The best ways to control nutrients:

1) Use only RO/DI water. Tap water can have phosphate levels as high as 1ppm.
2) Don't overfeed.
3) Remove decaying organic matter with water changes, a skimmer, and/or mechanical filtration.
4) Export excess dissolved nutrients biologically (macro, algae scrubber, coil denitrator, carbon dosing, etc) and/or chemically (GFO, sulfur denitrator, etc).