Phosphat Reality

[PatMayo]

I always use RO/DI water for changes and top offs. I do not have a problem with algae except for a little cyno in the sump. Virtually no algae in the display of any kind.

Do I need to monitor for phosphates or would this be a waste of money? I feed pellet and formula 1 and 2 frozen and DT's now and again. I only have 2 fish so far?

Is this something worth monitoring on a routine basis or only if I have a sudden algae breakout?

The tank has been up for 50 days.

Regards,

Pat

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The two reasons for worry about phosphate are algae and the fact that it inhibits calcification (hard corals and coralline algae). I think it is worth measuring, but if hard corals are growing just fine (hard to tell in a new tank), then it may not be necessary.

This article has more:

Phosphorus: Algaeââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s Best Friend
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2002/chem.htm

 

[PatMayo]

Thanks Randy.

Regards,

Pat

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome

Happy reefing.