Blackout and PO4

[Mesterhingsten]

Hi,

My tank is at day two of a tree day blackout to hopefully help with some algae issues. I check PO4 level with my Hanna Checker each day and it is reading 0.00 which is a bit odd as I expected stuff to die off and release phosphates.

I am using GFO (Rowaphos), used it before the blackout as well and phosphatelevels were low, so might the case be that whatever po4 is relased is bound up in the rowa? Should i maybe shut down the reactor for a 12 hour period to see what happens?

One week ago i changed reactor as well, the new one seems way more effective, i never really had 0.00 readings earlier. During a blackout there is not really anything using up po4 in the water column, which leads me to thinking the measurement is fairly accurate. Maybe the algae just has not died off yet? It seems to be better when i checked with a flashlight, but I have to wait one more day to be sure.

Any comments?

 

[bertoni]

I agree that the RowaPhos might be binding the phosphate. Personally, I'd just let the system be, and use the flashlight to check the algae. If you do stop the reactor, be sure to disconnect it and drain the water. Otherwise, the water in the reactor will become anoxic, which can lead to a lot of toxic decay products building up.

 

[Mesterhingsten]

I agree that the RowaPhos might be binding the phosphate. Personally, I'd just let the system be, and use the flashlight to check the algae. If you do stop the reactor, be sure to disconnect it and drain the water. Otherwise, the water in the reactor will become anoxic, which can lead to a lot of toxic decay products building up.

Thanks, did not know that.

 

[bertoni]

You're welcome! Good luck!