Phosphate Levels on the Rise!

[mluntz]

Yesterday I checked my water parameters:
SG-1.026
Ammonia-0
Nitrate-0
PH-8.1
Phosphate-.09
Alk-7.8
Calcium-443
Mag-1380

I changed my GFO in the reactor a couple of days ago. This morning I decided to check the water coming out of the reactor: 0 Phosphates. I again checked the tank water and phosphates have risen to .13. I have never had this issue before.

The only change that I can recall is that I have started adding some Omega One Marine Flakes to the food mix for some variety. I have read that some flake food can cause drastic rises in phosphate and I am concerned that this may be the issue. I only feed once per day.

I don't have a RODI unit, but I use distilled water, 0 TDS out of the jug. I don't have a sump or refugium, so adding macroalgae is not an alternative.

I am getting ready to do a water change today.

Hopefully someone can chime in with some thoughts.

[saltyair]

only suggestion is stop using flakes and increase cuc do you use a protein skimmer?

[mluntz]

only suggestion is stop using flakes and increase cuc do you use a protein skimmer?

Yes, I am using an Eshopps PSK-100H.

[machote]

get an ats

[Reefvet]

What phosphate test kit and how old is it ?

[bertoni]

I'd probably take the Marine Flakes out of the food mix for a while, to see whether it's the issue. If so, you can work from there. A bit more GFO should help get the phosphate level back down. If the tank is doing well enough, you could ignore the phosphate level for the time being, though.

[nicholasb]

You need to try and keep you po4 levels down below 0.03. I find a salifert kit is good. Flake food can contain alot of algae/seaweed, and so alot of phosphates. Hope nothing has died, pushing up your phasphates!!.