Phosphates and New Light

[sharkbait97437]

Hello,

I purchased a new T5 light for my aquarium. I'm switching from a metal halide. I decided on the following retro fit to go inside of my canopy:

IceCap Light

My Phosphates have been running at about 2.0ppm. I've been doing 10% water changes on a 75 gallon tank twice per week. Additionally, I'm running a poly filter. I have not seen any decrease in Phosphate levels.

The LFS advised that I not install my new light yet. The reasoning was that anytime you change lights, you are going to experience an algae bloom. With high phosphates, you'll experience a much worse algae bloom.

My question is two fold:

1. Is this true? Should I hold off on installing the new light until after the phosphates are reduced to 0?
2. Are there any other recommendations for lowering phosphates? I'm starting to lose hope after not seeing any reduction at all.

Thanks!

 

[aquainas]

I'd start by testing your salt mix and getting rid of the poly filter.

 

[pwoller]

Are you using RODI water?

 

[dave2184]

Do you use RO, RO/DI, or tap water? If RO or RO/DI when did you change your filters last? What additives do you use if any, and how often? How often and how much do you feed? Do you feed frozen foods, and do you rinse it before feeding? Do you run a refugium? Lets find out the cause then we can fix it.

 

[sharkbait97437]

Hi All,

Thanks so much for the replies. I'm using RODI water from the LFS. Prior to putting it in my tank, I test it and the Phosphate, Nitrate, and Amonia levels show 0.

This is a used tank that I purchased about a month and a half ago. I transported it, saving all gravel, LR, and approximately 75% of the water. Since then, I have done the following water changes:

30% - Done by the LFS
10% - Done by me
10% - Done by me
10% - Done by me

Thanks again!

 

[sharkbait97437]

Hi,

I noticed a few more questions that were asked of me:

If RO or RO/DI when did you change your filters last?

I run a sump divided box underneath with BioBalls. I have not changed anything out here....only the poly filter, which I have been changing weekly as it turns light green in color.

hat additives do you use if any, and how often?

Not using any additives at this time. I have some Purple Up, but have not yet started using it due to my concerns with the Phosphate levels.

How often and how much do you feed?

I feed 2 halves of a frozen cube every other day. This equals about 1 frozen cube every other day. For a while, I was also feeding flakes and pellets occasionally. I have not been using this for at least 3 weeks. Additionally, I have some liquid food for my starfish. I add a couple of drops a couple of times per week.

Do you feed frozen foods, and do you rinse it before feeding?

I do use frozen food. I do not rinse it. I let it dissolve in some saltwater from my tank, then pour it in and let it be dispersed by the powerheads.

Do you run a refugium

Not sure what this is, but I don't think so. I run a wet/dry trickle filter with Bio Balls. That is all that is underneath of my tank.

 

[dave2184]

from you answers to my questions I can now find at least three posable ways you could have high levels of phosphates.

1. You say gravel. Do you you have some kind of large graind substrate on the bottom like crushed coral, dolimite, or colored decorative gravel? If so this could be full of uneaten food and fish waste. these substrats need to be vacumed out on a regular basis because thier large grain size allows food and other detritus to settle down into it and breakbown releasing phosphates into the water. Most use a finner grain sand wher it is much harder for these things to settle down threw it and cause this problem.

2. Frozen foods are loaded with phosphates as a preservative it is highly recomended you rinse it before feeding.

3. What kind of starfish do you have? I ask because starfish that filterfeed rairly if ever enter the hobbiest trade. The adition of this liquid starfish food may be unessicary and a sorce of Phosphates as well.

 

[sharkbait97437]

Hello,

Thank you for areas you've highlighted.

Do you you have some kind of large graind substrate on the bottom like crushed coral, dolimite, or colored decorative gravel?

I am using a crushed coral of some sort. I had preferred a finer sand, but this is what the tank came with. I was told I should keep it to preserve the bacteria. I've thought about changing it out, but I'm not sure how I would do that now without losing the bacteria established in it and starting the cycling process over. I am currently vacuuming it out twice per week, and have been for a couple of weeks now. Is it possible I just need to allow more time before I start seeing a decrease?

Frozen foods are loaded with phosphates as a preservative it is highly recomended you rinse it before feeding.

So, just rinse off the outside? Then, is it okay to dissolve in my saltwater and pour it in?

What kind of starfish do you have?

I have one chocolate chip star (which I will be selling back to the LFS store when I am ready to start adding corals). I also have a blue linckia star.

Thanks again!

 

[dave2184]

CC stars an linkias are not filter feeders so I'd stop with the liquid food.

The crushed coral could easily be replaced if you wish just take out a little at a time relacing it with sand say by taking out a 4x4" section and putting sand in it's place every time you do a water change, this is entirely up to you though, so just keep at the vacuming and it'll help but it'll just take some time.

As for the frozen food what I do is put it into a small plastic strainer and pour RO water threw it till it is thawed and then feed. This way I know any added stuff is rinsed away.

You may want to look into a Phosphate reactor to help with removal and you can keep it running to help remove any phosphates that my be introduced inadvertently thru food or other additives.

 

[sharkbait97437]

Are phosphate reactors easy to install? I have a wet dry filter with Bio Balls. My Protein Skimmer also sits in here. I'm not sure how it would all connect together, but if it's easy enougn, I'm sure I could figure it out.

 

[dave2184]

Dosn't take much just plumb it to a small powerhead in the sump like a maxijet with a valve inline to control the flow, and drop the outlet back into the sump.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Carbo...gle--GFO-and-Carbon-Reactor/product_info.html