How to remove phosphates?

[kdeyarmin]

I did a test and realized that my phosphates were high (my low range tester maxed out at 2.5ppm). What is the best way to decrease the phosphates? Phosphate reactor, liquid remover, chemi pure, purigen, ect...? What are your thoughts?

 

[MarcoPolo]

A common practice is to run GFO to absorb PO4, typically using a reactor. But prevention is better than curing. If you have high levels of phosphate it is important to understand root cause and solve that. Most common ways for phosphate to get into the tank is the food you give your fish, and not using ro/di water for water changes and top-off. For example I always rinse very well the food I give to the fish using ro/di water. It's a small step but make a big difference, especially if you feed heavily the tank. I also use macroalgae in my sump to absorb nutrients from the water column as a way to manage po4.

 

[kdeyarmin]

would it be ok to run GFO in a sock, in my aquaclear 110?

 

[bertoni]

GFO in a socket would be fine, as long as water gets force through it. With the level that high, some water changes might be more cost-effective, though. I'd expect the GFO to become exhausted very rapidly, within a day at most.

 

[kdeyarmin]

What would you recommend for my situation, Phosban, gfo, ect... for a sock in the filter?

 

[elder luis]

what´s the size of your tank? do you have a sump?

 

[zhewitt04]

I would recommed a algae turf scrubber. Check it out as a sticky in the Advanced Topics! Phosphates will be 0 and nitrates will be 0

 

[bertoni]

PhosBan or another brand of GFO probably is an easy way to start working on the problem.

 

[kdeyarmin]

thanks, everybody for your suggestions. I am going to try the GFO pellets from Bulk Reef Supply in a sock... will let everybody know how that goes...

 

[David Grigor]

What sized tank is this ? I'd begin with doing larger, more frequent water changes to get lower rather than with gfo. Also, evaluate your food, waste, input water. Get the phosphates to a more reasonable level then perhaps using GFO to help maintain. Once more until control you could start reducing the water change ammounts. Like others have said just running GFO is going to mask the root causes. I wouldn't use the GFO to try to lower when your levels are that high ( assuming the reading is accurate ) because of the risk to any corals. If you decide to anyways, go very slow as is can impact coral going lowering too much too fast.

 

[tmz]

If it's a reasonably sized tank ,a series of 15% water changes and then gfo to keep it down with reduced feeding might be less costly. That PO4,2.5ppm ,is extremely high and you might be changing gfo every day or few days for months. I'd also get a second measure on the level.

 

[kdeyarmin]

It's a 180 gallon tank. I think my problem is that I do not have a RO filter, so I am topping it off with tap water. :headwally:
I am going to do a second reading tonight, as that was the first time I had used the Hanna tester.

 

[jc-reef]

It's a 180 gallon tank. I think my problem is that I do not have a RO filter, so I am topping it off with tap water. :headwally:
I am going to do a second reading tonight, as that was the first time I had used the Hanna tester.

You just figured out your issue...time to invest in an RO/DI unit ASAP! If you continue using your tap water for top off/WC's, then using GFO as a 'fix' will be a waste of time and money.

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[kdeyarmin]

what inexpensive system would you recommend?

 

[bertoni]

There are a number of sponsor here who sell good RO/DI setups. I use an old Kent system, but there are some nicer choices available now.