Phosphate levels

[RealReef7]

What do you guys usually run your phosphates levels at? Im a little above .10 and my corals look fine. Nitrates 0, cal 440 alk 8. I just hooked up the gfo reactor today. im shooting for .05.

 

[RealReef7]

Even though the nitrates are zero and my corals looks fine maybe they are getting the nutrients from the phosphates so maybe taking away the phosphates might not be a good idea? Though, I always assumed lower phosphate levels usually bring out better looking coral.

 

[chema]

Be aware that phosphate may become an obsession. If your phosphate levels don't go further than 0,1-0,2, your corals have good colors and you don't have serious algae problems, then just enjoy your tank.

 

[ormet]

You can never substitute N with P. So no worries about that.

But i totally agree with chema.

 

[Eastone]

If your phosphates are high and your nitrates low it suggests you're nitrate-limited. I've got this on my tank due to massively high skimming (a 2000lph skimmer on 6gal volume) but I just dose nitrates. Adding nitrates to a system that's limited in this way can reduce phosphates due to promoting bacterial growth, but that'll vary largely on weather you dose carbon.

 

[Dugless]

I've found phosphate, unless ridiculously outlandish, to have less of a direct impact on color in my experience. Stability of Alkalinity seems to be the more sensitive level for color for me. I would blame higher phosphate for slower coral growth if anything.

And, the presence of phosphate does encourage algae growth and it becomes important to keep measurements low to avoid nuisance algae from causing problems. For myself, I know phosphates have become a problem when I'm wiping my walls too often. I should be able to get 4 days or so in between wipes if everything is in check.