Phosphate level in clean saltwater.

[tinnghe]

So I made a bucket of saltwater for water change. I was curious at the phosphate level so I check w my color meter. It show that the lvl is sitting at .08. Is this high for clean water?

 

[disc1]

Are you using RO/DI?

 

[tinnghe]

RO/DI at 0.

 

[kissman]

are you using a food grade bucket? I use a 15g rubbermaid trash can that is food grade and I have 0 phosphates in my make up water. What brand of salt are you using? It has to be either coming from the buckety or the salt if the RO/DI is 0

 

[sanchoy]

could be in your salt mix. Try re-testing. Always retest. If confirmed, then you have a bad batch of salt. .08 is bad in my opinion. I try to keep my phosphate levels around -.02.

 

[75pxatr]

tagging along - can the rubbermaid leach phosphates?

 

[kissman]

not is it is food grade.

 

[tinnghe]

my tank level right now is sitting at 0.00, but I have some GHA. I am trying to figure out the source. I have a food grade container that i used to mix salt with.

 

[Dyzio545]

Does anyone know if Instant Ocean salt has phosphates in it?

 

[tinnghe]

BTW I use Reef Crystal.

 

[Mindflux]

not is it is food grade.

The only difference between food grade and non food grade plastics are the chemicals/items used to remove the product from the injection moldings. Once those are cleaned off the plastics themselves are identical.

:spin3:

 

[kissman]

my tank level right now is sitting at 0.00, but I have some GHA. I am trying to figure out the source. I have a food grade container that i used to mix salt with.

The 2 biggest places phosphates are introduced is tap water and food. I can't imagine the phosphates being .08 just from salt that has to be bad salt. I would def test it and maybe take a sample to your LFS to make sure your test kit is ok. have you tried washing out your test tube with RO/DI water then doing the test? The reason you have GHA and a reading of 0 is the GHA is eating it up before you can get a reading on it. The other option is if you know anybody that uses the same salt test there water and see if his reads the same. Different salts have different amounts I know the worst algae issues I ever had were when I was using Coralife or Reef Crystals yet I know a lot of people that use them and don't have issues. I found that Red Sea Coral Pro is best for my tank. Seachem Reef was good too but the calcium levels were very high