Can Shifting Sand Cause Phosphate Rise?

[FSOL]

the PO4 level on the salifert kit showed 0 ppm before I added my Tunze's.
After adding Tuzne's, for a few days, I had some sand movement in my tank, in some places about 2 inches of sand moved around and settled somewhere else.

Could this have caused a phosphate spike (about 0.03ppm now)?

Thanks

 

[FSOL]

^

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I can think of several possible reasons, and it may have been some or all of them (or just testing noise). The pumps might have stirred up some detritus that then was broken down. Or it may have exposed some calcium phosphate or phosphate absorbed onto CaCO3 sand that came off to some extent when exposed to bulk tank water with a low phosphate. Or it may have just been phosphate in the sediment pore water that was released.

In any case, I wouldn't worry much about it. That's a pretty small"'spike", IMO.

 

[FSOL]

I have SPS's so I dont want it to rise too much. I hope it'll get sucked back in w/ the phosban.

Thanks Randy

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

OK, sounds good.