Phosphates

[Bret61081]

Well after a year and a half of being set up...I just now tested my Phosphates for the first time and the news was not good! Rob at Exotic Aquatic said they are through the roof!! I have a refugium but so far it hasnt helped too much with the nitrates. I still do a 10G water change a week to keep the nitrates as low as possible. Before I buy the reactor, I am just wondering what everyone else uses to keep their phosphates under control. Thanks guys

Bret

 

[Pinksteel]

Using strictly RODI water is the best possible solution that I know of.

 

[cubano2480]

a good skimmer ,les fish ,les food,and off curse good RODI water ... u can use a phosban reator .........

 

[45commando]

hi,don't know if you use kalkwasser to replace your top off,but if you don't,then I'd say try it.Not only will it boost your calcium & alk,but it will pull phosphates out of soultion.Like the other guys stated use good quality make up water or you may well just be adding to the situation.Good luck

 

[Bret61081]

I use RO/DI water for top off and add reef former powder from Natureef and my calcium he told me was perfect at 500. I add just about a gallon a day. As far as fish and feeding go, I prolly have more then I should and feed them more to keep them happy! Looks like I am going to just break down then and buy the reactor...it seems pretty simple...Does anyone else use one?

 

[Rogger Castells]

I use a TLF phosban reactor, as a way maintaining, because that alone will not be sufficient to get rid of the phosphates, in fact I wouldn't even waste my time and money with a reactor until you can bring them down.
You must check your DI resin to ensure you are not adding them your self, next you need to perform a few large water changes and re-test the water before, after and the next day to see if you don't have this phosphates impregnated in your rock and sand, if so, you will find the levels will go down at the water change and the next day they are back up.
You must continue to do water changes until this levels start staying down and finally once you bring them to undetectable levels you can keep them down with a phos reactor.
I use a combination of carbon and ferric hydroxide in the chamber which is the same substance in RowaphosÃ"šÃ‚®.

 

[bawla47]

bret, make sure the RO/DI your getting is pure and not the source of the problem.

Ive been to several places that sell RO/DI water, but because they change out there filters like once ayear, and sell1000s of gallons of water, there filters were soo disgusting, nitrates and phosphates were through the roof.