Best Way To Remove Phosphate...

[newguy1983]

...okay, so I think I have a cyano problem and I am wanting to get rid of the phosphate in my tank...

I feed twice a day (First time is in the morning as is usually frozen shrimp, mysis and some other goodies and the second time is at night which is cyclopeeze). I dont think that's too much because all the critters are always hungry.

I want to try Phosphate removal, but I don't know how to approach it. I dont want to do a phosphate reactor (unless I really have too). I thought about the "blackout" and keep the lights off for a few days. I added a powerhead (78gph) and it seemed to help a little, but where the water doesn't flow that much, it just builds up even worse.

I currently have a 15g with a HoB Aquaclear 30. I tried searching for some phosphate media but that didnt work. I run carbon all the time in the tank (change it every three weeks) and change the filter in the HoB every three weeks as well (not the same time though).

Thoughts?

 

[mg426]

Look here for GFO www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[crvz]

Honestly it sounds like you're overfeeding; the fish may not think so, but the tank can't handle the amount of food you're putting in it. How often do you do water changes, and do you remove wastes in any way other than the HOB filter?

 

[iamwrasseman]

2nd that on the overfeeding .

 

[chimmike]

I wonder what your water source is.......

 

[redfishsc]

+1 on Chimmike's statement. Do you use RO/DI water?


Also +1 on the GFO, there is a good article in the Chemistry archives Randy wrote about it.


Lastly, on a 15g, you could go a very, very long way to reducing nitrates and phosphates with a refugium. A cheap 5g or 10g from Petsmart for $10-15 would make a great fuge for your tank.

 

[skriz]

Turning off you lights will do nothing for phosphate removal.

It sounds like you need either a more powerful skimmer or a better water change regimun. WIth only 15g of water, you can easily ramp up your water changes and keep everything nice and happy.

I wouldn't waste your time with GFO.

 

[Marsfrogie]

Sugar!

 

[spleify]

I agree with what has been mentioend.
Less feedings
More flow
More frequent larger water changes.

Good luck

Spleify

 

[Mike de Leon]

dose with vodka..

 

[spleify]

Probably not the best suggestion without having a skimmer. Try and stick with the more natural ways on a tank that size that is lacking some equiptment.

Don't worry Newguy1983 you will be able clean the tank up.

 

[newguy1983]

I do water changes once a week and change out approx. 2 gallons of water each time.

I would LOVE to do a refugium, but a) have no way place to put it and b) would need an overflow.

I do notice that when I do water changes, the stuff doesn't come back as fast until mid week (I always do my water changes on Saturdays). I do use RO/DI water - so I know that's not the issue.

So, I guess the consensus is to change the water more frequently - which I can do no problem. I'll try the less feeding route too and see what that does for me.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[pong]

from 2x a day... i decreased my feeding to once in 2 days... decreased all kinds of visible algae so far...

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

I have a "cheating" way for piece of mind. I buy the blue life phosphate remover drops. My ro/di containers are in 5 gal increments. I add 6 gtts (what it recommends for 10 gal) in the 5 gal containers. I do it to my top off water and my water change water.

It works well for me because I change 10 gal in my 90 q 3-4 d and 25 gal in my 175 every 3-4 d.

It's a maint rather than a removal. I feed my fish heavily and corals too!!! no detectable phospate here.

Make sure you are using dispoable test tubes to do your tests, once phosphate water is in the tube--you can't wash it out because the wash water likely has it too!!!! It will cause you many HA to think nothing is removing it--your starfish and corals won't like the extra effort at removal when it's not needed too!

 

[Marsfrogie]

You could also drip Calcium Hydroxide (kalk) to get rid of phosphate.

 

[luther1200]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14710249#post14710249 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Marsfrogie
You could also drip Calcium Hydroxide (kalk) to get rid of phosphate.

I also was told this. And it did help dramaticaly. I used to have cyano outbreaks all the time. But since I started dripping kalk I haven't had any. And its easy to do and helps keep up on your top off. I only drip 2.5g a week in my 65, but it is enough to do the job.