Phosphate levels?

[steallife904]

I got a new test kit last night (salifert) and ran a test on the phospate in my tank. It read 0.00. The kit said good should be 0.03. What do you guys keep your phospahte level at?

About 2 years ago i ran into a bad hair algae problem. I installed a phosphate reactor (as well as changed some other things) and have never looked back. I no longer have the hair algea. Im wondering if i should stop running the phosphate reactor 24/7???

I am also going to be setting up my new upgrade tank this weekend. Going from a 72 to a 140. So should i set the phospane reactor up with the new tank or only run it when it phosphate levels get high? I have to say for a long time i have not been happy with my sps colors and now i am wondering if phosphate being to low is the issue???

 

[swk]

I prefer .05-.1

 

[Pife]

. 02 to. 06 for me

 

[SPotter]

given the margin of error with hobby grade test kits I focus more on stability of the number rather than the number itself. I am happy at a consistent .04.

 

[steallife904]

since my test kit is showing me something around 0.00 should i just try to keep it there? Guess i am really trying to decide if i should run the phosphate reactor 24/7 or put on a timer to run say a few hours a day... or even not run it at all

 

[SPotter]

Problem with the salifert kit is that it goes from .03 to 0 so while on that kit you might be zero but on a different kit that tests a lower range you could be .02. Allow your eyes to be the judge. Do your corals look good? Do they have good color and pe? If yes then leave things be.

 

[steallife904]

I have no algea issues. As far as coral, my LPS are great. My sps have grown great but the colors are pale. This could be because of my LEDs though. I did get a T5 retro kit to add with my new tank so i guess i will leave the phosphate reactor on and see if anything changes with the addition of the T5s

 

[pstank1]

Pale colors could be due to a lack of nutrition. Try shutting down the reactor for a week or so and see if you start seeing more saturated colors.

 

[shih87]

undetectable to 0.03 to me...

 

[nemodan]

If you do not see any problems in your tank do not change anything.

As said, SPS pale colors can low nutrients and also light effects. Easy to test if the nutrients are the issue. Increase your feeding regimen for some weeks/months, but keep Phosp. Low.

Cheers

 

[steallife904]

think thats my plan. keep it all the same and increase the food. i am also adding some T5 to my LEDs in the new tank so maybe that will help as well???

I just got a call today that my new tank has shipped and will be here by tuesday next week. Its been 2 months so i cant wait. I will start a build thread once i start the setup