Phophates over .40

Llama 72

Member
75g tank
20g refugium
Protein skimmer
12 fish...mostly smaller
1 mushroom & 1 leather coral

I cannot get my phosphates under 40. 20% water changes, bio balls.

I read a gfo reactor would work. What do you experienced members recommend? I am open for anything at this point.
 
over time rock, if in a high phosphate tank, can absorb PO4 and later that can leach out. So, it is a possibility.

Over time water changes and GFO will eventually eliminate it but, depending on how much the rock has absorbed, it could take quite a while.

I personally use the BRS Carbon & GFO Reactor and have been happy with it.

I believe @wvned uses or has used Lanthanum chloride for quick PO4 removal.
 
I run at .4ppm before without issue, but from time to time, I LC that down with Phosphate X and a fine sock to .2 ish, then run Fauna Marin Phosphate 0.04 to maintain that over months. Over long periods it tends to rise, so occasional intervention keeps it reasonable.

LC is a faster way to knock down phosphate, a couple of hits into a filter sock a day apart, then GFO. That will half your current level.

Of course, be sure not to go lower than .1ppm + or - ish to ensure trace availability.

At the end of the day, 0.4ppm is not necessarily a bad number, some environments run great here.

Only the Hanna checker ever gave me useful info on phosphate as there’s so little in the water.

Be wary of some other kits who may not be able to read that low, 0.00-.2ppm
 
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I dose a tiny amount of LC every day and the skimmer removes it. A 75 gallon with .4 would bankrupt you getting it down to .1 with GFO.
It could keep it there once you get it down.
 
What kind of light and lighting cycle are you using work your refugium? How fast does the cheato currently grow?

If possible, I would slightly increase the light output and length of time it is running. Utilize that refugium since you already have it.

Any reactor will do the job to be honest. I have used many different brands. Currently I have a smaller BRS reactor on my 120g running 2/3 Rox carbon and 1/3 GFO.
 
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