How to keep Phosphates and nitrates down?
- Thread starter drew567
- Start date
lanthinum chloride (usually pool supply stores carry it or a branded product form Marine depot.) Will bring down phosphates rapidly, BE VERY CAREFUL using the product though...
Long term... Feed less, I've tried GFO from BRS with limited success. I built an Algae Turf Scrubber in the end, which, I'm approaching 1 month of opperation and so far I'm pleased with it's results so far. An ATS is supposed to reduce nitrates and phosphates.
A refugium with a mix of macro algaes will also remove phosphates and nitrates. Mangroves, calupera, chaeto, among others will do nicely.
Lots of options just a matter of what you have space, time, and money for.
Long term... Feed less, I've tried GFO from BRS with limited success. I built an Algae Turf Scrubber in the end, which, I'm approaching 1 month of opperation and so far I'm pleased with it's results so far. An ATS is supposed to reduce nitrates and phosphates.
A refugium with a mix of macro algaes will also remove phosphates and nitrates. Mangroves, calupera, chaeto, among others will do nicely.
Lots of options just a matter of what you have space, time, and money for.
You'll want to be aware that Phosguard is an aluminum based phosphate binder. Read this for more information.
Randy Holmes-Farley also discusses using iron based media here. I've heard of some people using natural zeolites to remove phosphates, but I don't know anything about this.
Other means are water changes, feeding less, macro-algae export, algae scrubbing, and skimming. You might also try increasing flow to keep more detritus in suspension to help your skimmer lower phosphates.
From my own personal experiences, I found that adjusting my flow, changing out a small ( 2 oz ) bag of GFO from bulk reef supply, and reducing feeding kept phosphates below detection level on my Hanna phosphate checker.
Randy Holmes-Farley also discusses using iron based media here. I've heard of some people using natural zeolites to remove phosphates, but I don't know anything about this.
Other means are water changes, feeding less, macro-algae export, algae scrubbing, and skimming. You might also try increasing flow to keep more detritus in suspension to help your skimmer lower phosphates.
From my own personal experiences, I found that adjusting my flow, changing out a small ( 2 oz ) bag of GFO from bulk reef supply, and reducing feeding kept phosphates below detection level on my Hanna phosphate checker.
Breakbeats2334
New member
i use whitesocks rightnow but im in debate about purchasing gfo and putting it in the filter sock to add alittle boost
