Phosphates

[leemchildress]

My tank has been running for almost two months now and ammonia, nitrites and nitrates all test perfectly. Recently I have had a small outbreak of hair algae. I do not have a test kit for phosphates but will get one this weekend to test. I have a 60 gallon cube. If phosphates are high would I be better off using something like Phosphate Rx to remove phosphates or would a GFO reactor be better? I'm ignorant regarding GFO. Using GFO is there a chance your phosphates will drop too low?

 

[schatzi]

Phosphates can't be too low and GFO is one method to remove it. ALgae oubreaks are a natural part of a new tank while it settles in. Just manually remove as much as possible and keep an eye on your levels once you get test kits. Do you have a sump? Something has to take up the nitrate and phosphate or it will just build up. Fish are tolerant, corals not as much. Water changes help but aren't the only answer.

 

[scooter31707]

When you using GFO, it is recommend to start with half of the original and gradually work your way up to the correct amount. For example, if your GFO said 1 gram per gallon, you would start out 30 grams for your 60 gallon tank, then work your way up, if need be. There have been some good results from hobbyist using a GFO reactor or just putting the GFO in a mesh bag within their sump. IME, I like having a GFO reactor better, as the GFO tumbles. Also as mentioned above, phosphates/algae is very common in new tank setups. Also during this time be mindful of how much you are feeding, as most of the foods we feed our fish have phosphates in them. Also check your salt and see if their are any phosphates in the freshly mixed saltwater. Also RO/DI water is recommend, I have known hobbyist use regular DI and get above normal phosphate levels. So all these can be causes of high phosphates, just have to narrow it down and keep on top of it.

 

[leemchildress]

Thanks for the input. I do have a skimmer and it is actively doing a decent job. I figured it was new tank syndrome but wanted input. I'll check phosphate this weekend and consider a reactor. I have been pulling it out and it isn't taking over, but it is there in some places.

 

[anthonys51]

you can also get algae and not test high for phosphates. thats why you want to go slow with a new tank. dont add too many fish, dont over feed. the live rock in your tank takes time to grow all that good stuff. over time all that good stuff will use the little nutrients you have in your tank if you keep them low. reason why new tanks tend to get thiese alge outbreaks is your live rock isnt able to out compete the algae for nutrients yet and the algae gorws instead

 

[Timfish]

You can have your phosphates too low. It is essential to make RNA and DNA besides the ADP/ATP cycle in cells. Reefs average .13 mg/l and only a small fraction of reefs are below .05 mg/l. Algae is part of the maturation process of reefs and I would recommend urchins, Royal and Tuxedos are my favorite.

You'll hear the addage "if you have algae you have phosphates". It is more accurate to say if you have life you have phosphates. It may help to know corals are as perfectly happy using organic phosphate, which we can't test for, as they are using inorgainc phosphate (PO4).