Phosphate reading

[md14fish]

I am getting a reading of phosphate using a sea test PO4 kit- the reading was 0.8, I added a PO4 removing media to a canister filter and after 3 days the reading is 0.6. Can i expect a lower reading after more time with the media or is this about it. Is that level to high?

 

[demonsp]

Phosphates main source is tap water.
Whats the water source?

 

[bertoni]

That level (if it's accurate) is very high for stony corals and other calcifying organisms. Fish won't be bothered, though.

 

[scaryperson27]

How are you feeding your fish? If you're using frozen fish food, are you rinsing it out? What salt brand are you using?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What media are you using?

 

[md14fish]

Thanks for the responses guys. The media is phosban, the salt is either instant ocean or some times Oceanic. I feed a wide variety of foods frozen mysis,brine, emerald entree. As well as ocean nutrition pellets and spirulina flakes. I have a large fish load -21 in a 150 with a 40 gallon refugium.

 

[bertoni]

PhosBan seems to be a good product. The media in the reactor might just be exhausted, since the tank level was very high. Someone with more experience with high phosphate issues might be able to comment more.

How much macroalgae is being harvested out of the refugium and how often? Well, assuming the refugium has a macroalga or two in it.

 

[md14fish]

At one time macroalgae was growing rapidly, but for some reason has slowed considerably over the last few months.

 

[bertoni]

Hmm, that's interesting. Maybe some iron would help. Hard to say. Has the bulb gotten old?

 

[md14fish]

I replace the PC's on fuge evry 12 mos.

 

[bertoni]

Hmm, hard to say. I'd replace the media and see how that goes.