Bound Phosphate

[ccradr]

I have been dosing vodka and prodibio for almost 1 yr. I have a 265 mixed reef....i run Rowa/BRS phosphate remover. I even dose some MB7 on occasion. My RO unit always reads zero as I keep the catridges replaced quite often. I can never get phoshates below .03 with all that I do. water changes every week etc. I am guessing tha maybe its alot bound into the rock? I just started using PO4 Minus to see if that helps. Any suggestions?

P.S. I have 10 fish fed once per day...either frozen or Spectrum. And I use a Hanna Phosmeter

 

[five.five-six]

how long has the tank bee up and running?

 

[tmz]

Most test kits aren't too great in the low ranges. Even the hanah colorimeter has a +/- 0.04 error range. I use it and usually get .0.04ppm to 0.06ppm. Cross checking with a salifert kit gets a clear water 0ppm on the same sample.
It is possible that PO4 is equilibrating from th rock if the rock was previously exposed to high PO4 levels but it is also possible that testing noise accounts for the .03ppm. Or maybe organic phosphate is breaking down at a rate that just keeps some PO4 around.

 

[ccradr]

Tank ha s been running for 18 months. Originally I wasnt keeping up with phosphate...9 months maybe...wasnt sure if that is when the rocks absorbed alot of phosphate

 

[scottsr]

If the rocks absorbe phospate will they release all of it eventualy or are they going to keep messing up the phosphate level 4-ever?

 

[tmz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15355767#post15355767 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scottsr
If the rocks absorbe phospate will they release all of it eventualy or are they going to keep messing up the phosphate level 4-ever?

Don't think there is an answer to that . Lot's of variables come into play. But over time if you surround your rocks with water with low concentrations of inorganic phosphate any equilibration that may be occuring should become more limited .

 

[KevChem]

Do you have an algae problem? If not, why worry about 0.03ppm phosphate? It is low - that is good.

Kevin

 

[WaterKeeper]

What Tom suggests is probably right but also it can be a background level. Don't forget, all the living things in the tank use phosphates for energy exchange in the organic forms of ADP and ATP. It is not impossible for some of that to be mineralized and enter the tank water through excretion. That can be the source of background levels and they are replaced as fast as they are removed through export mechanisms. Even food added has some level of soluble phosphates and, although small, can contribute to that background.

 

[Billybeau1]

Good to see you Tom. Thanks for popping in. This is a rare appearance for sure.

 

[WaterKeeper]

:lol:

I'm looking in on you guys as Jonathan is on vacation this week. I know we have trouble makers over here like you, Highland, Boom and tmz so I just wanted to warn you I am on the Prowl.

 

[Billybeau1]

:lol:

 

[ccradr]

I have a little micro algae..not a;ot though. My sand...I cant keep it clean..its almost brown like no matter how much I stire. I m thinking of raplacing the sand though. My concern is my SPS arent growing like I think they should. I have XM 400 watt 10ks in there with sup t-5's.

 

[WaterKeeper]

It does sound like a phosphate problem. I'd start running a GFO, as was already suggested. Sorry to hijack your thread but I don't moderate the Chemistry forum very often these days.

 

[ccradr]

No problem.....I am already running GFO...BRS high capacity in a deltec reactor...its almost full. I changed it three weeks ago

 

[luther1200]

Do you run a refugium? After installing my fuge a few years ago my parameters got much better. Both PO4 and NO3. More noticably NO3 but it also helped with PO4.

 

[ccradr]

no room...have a insump protein skimmer(BK)....so no room for a fuge

 

[tmz]

Have you tested the effluent from your gfo reactor to see if it is lower in Po4 than your tank. I like Tom's explaination about backround, especially since he is moderating.

 

[Billybeau1]

Troublemaker............. :lol:

 

[tmz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15360906#post15360906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
Troublemaker............. :lol:

:lol: :lol: Thanks Billy;I needed that.

 

[Boomer]

I will add that Cyano will suck that PO4 right off those rocks.

Tom, WHEN have I ever been known to be a trouble maker ..............