Phosphates in NSW

[ashok sakthivel]

Hi,

I have recently changed from synthetic salt water to NSW. The reason why I changed is because I am not sure about the quality of salt I get here and the animals esp SPS seem to be doing better with NSW.
I live in Chennai, south india along the eastern coast. I get a local Fisherman to go into the sea for about 3 km to get the water. It think these waters are considered to be fairly polluted, at least closer to the shore.
The quality of water seems to be hit or miss.
The first four times both nitrates and phosphates were undetectable on salifert test kits. The last time nitrates were less than 0.1 ppm but phosphates were 0.5 ppm.
Two questions
1. is there any reason why phospates only go up. I was under the impression both nitrates and phosphates increase together.
2. will it be ok to use the water after running it through GFO.

Thanks,

Ashok

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If the phosphate was elevated because you got into a river effluent area or a waste water treatment effluent somehow, the ratios between the two might be unusual.

Yes, treating it with GFO may be a suitable way to treat it.

 

[ashok sakthivel]

Thanks for the reply. I don't think it was from an effluent area as I keep an eye on the boat when the water is collected. The water is also collected in almost the same spot each time. Any case I will run GFO and use it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

OK, good luck and let us know how it works out.