phosphates

[rhughes672]

Is there a good chemical I can use to lower my phosphates. After my water change, it was just above 2.5mg/L. I know its over feeding , but i cant convince my wife of that. She just dump about 3-4 times the required amount of flakes in my tank. I just got a used seaclone skimmer ( I know they suck, but it was free.) What else helps? This is all a crash course to keep up with the amount of fish my wife is buying. She comes home with fish and I am begging to complete the live rock and cleaning crew purchases. It could be worse... she could hate the tank I guess. Thanks for any advice.

 

[TCU Reefer]

To lower phosphates, you must attack the source rather than just using chemicals to subdue your numbers. You've got to tell her why overfeeding is bad. Leftover food contributes greatly to you phosphate levels.

Also, a good skimmer helps.

Lastly (when you cut down on feedings and upgrade skimmers), you can use a phosban reactor to keep your levels in check.

 

[Avi]

Well, I guess that's right....some men would trade out their wife for one like yours. But, you don't mention the size of your tank. If the size of the tank overwhelms the Seaclone, which wouldn't be difficult to do, you may have to get your wife a job so you can get yourself a better quality skimmer. Skimmers don't remove phosphates per se, they do, however get rid of a lot of phosphate causing matter that's suspended in the water column, so it's important that one is working effectively on your tank if there's a propensity to overfeed.

Water changes...that's a most important thing in your situation. I'd say with that kind of overfeeding and high bio-load of fish, you should do at least 30% every week.

I'd also look into hooking up a phosphate reactor and use a high-quality phosphate removing medium like Rowaphos in it. It's expensive but from what I've read, and from my experience with using it in a phosphate reactor on my reef (hanging on the sump) it's very effective in dispensing with elevated phosphates.

 

[jumpincactus]

Yep what TCU said. It does no good to use phosban or Rowaphos if the wifey continues to over feed. Get the overfeeding under control or you will forever be adding rowaphos and it aint cheap. Once you get the feeding under control use Rowaphos to get your phophates down, then after that you hopefully wont need it anymore.

Water changes as Avi said will help too. As well as crankin up your skimmer to get the particulates out of the water.