Trouble with Phosphate

[gandolf8]

I have a 180 gal clown fish Harem tank with 40 clownfish and 12 Anemones Now my problem
is with Phosphate check it yesterday with Hann Checker .13 check today .23 I am running GFO and Algae scrubber. I change the GFO Monday.
Just did a 50 gal water change Monday . any ideas thx,

sai 1.025
Cal 430
Alk 10.0
PH 7.9

 

[ggdowski]

Have you done a check on your RO water?


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[gandolf8]

yes all new filters

 

[Ellery]

Some possible sources:
1. LR leaching PO4 - If the LR is old some PO4 can bind on the surface of calcium Carbonate over time. I've bleached pieces of LR to remove the outer layer and soaked in Fresh water baths and LaCl to remove the bleach and any remaining PO4.

2. Sand Bed - vacuum sand during water change
3. Not enough Nitrates to feed you bacteria/ or not enough bacteria diversity in order to remove PO4 in the 16:1 Redfield ratio.
4. Drip LaCl into return to a 10 micron sock to precipitate the PO4.
5. Not harvesting the Macroalgae from Refugium enough and have die back returning PO4 back into the water.

just some thoughts...

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

avoid chasing numbers

avoid chasing numbers

elevated PO4 isn't going to harm anemones or clownfish.

do you have an algae problem in the display?

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

I have found if you turn up the flow for about 30 seconds & reset it can extend the life of the GFO.
Operator error? I know, but last week mine was .23 next day .13 & I can't explain it either.