What is the source of phospahtes?

[JCnflies]

About a month ago, I discovered a phosphate problem in my tank. With some phosban, I got it to 0. I eplaced the filtes on my RO-DI and checked the water for phosphates and/or nitrates. Both checked as low as they can on the scales, so i ssume immeasurable. I use IO salt. THe only other thing I have been adding to my tank is live phyto (not much), Marc Weiss supplement (so far, 1/2 a bottle), calcium (a bunch) and the daily feedings. I feed NLS, mysis and brine mixed with spirulina. I do supplement with selcon.

Today I checked my phosphates and they were up to 0.2. I put in some remover (ferrous based) and am left wondering how the phosphates got into my tank. My nitrates are still the lowest on the scale, so I really don't think I am overfeeding. Thx in advance for the wisdom, and as soon as I start getting paid again (I teach), I am buying a phosban reactor!

 

[billsreef]

Simply put, you can't feed the tank without adding phosphates. They are an integral part of proteins Best you can do is manage the input and removal.

 

[Spracklcat]

Phosphate is from foods and fish waste. Nutrients in, nutrients gotta come out. You can decrease your feeding (less in) or increase your export (more out). To increase export, increase your skimming (keep your alkalinity and pH up and clean your cup daily), use a phosphate remover like Phosban, add a refugium with macroalgae, or increase your coral load. More corals use more phosphate, which leaves less in the water column for nuisance algae.

Keep in mind too that phosphate test kits only test for inorganic phosphate, while a good portion of the phosphate in our tanks is organic and won't show up on your kit. And nitrates should be undetectable, so you may well be overfeeding.

two questions: how old is your tank, and what is in it? And do you have any clams? (ok that's three ). If no clams, I'd drop the phytoplankton.

Christine

 

[JCnflies]

HI Christine,

THx to both you and Bill for the answers I have two clams, and to be honest, my corals (esp zoos) explode when phyto is added I have a fuge, too with chaeto and a bit of xenia.

My nitrates are at the undetectable level in the chip (Mari9neland kit). THe chip reads 10 and under. THey could be 10, b ut they could be 0. Eventually I'll have to get a kit upgrade

I can get more corals as soon as the budget allows My blasto wellsi is doing awesome (showing new heads and I have had it only three weeks or so!) and I have the hots for some of the new micromussas out there and I always love zoos. I'll need to get some, with phosban reactor, once the checks start (LOL!)

The tank is a year old. My nitrates really went down when I cleaned my sump, so now I siphon the bottom at every change to keep it spotless

I will increase my skimming, thx pH and alk are up

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Test Kits

Test Kits

I would get Salifert Test Kits next time. They are rated at the top of the list for accuracy. Phosphate will never really be Zero even on the best German Kit costing over $100.

 

[JCnflies]

My phosphate and magnesium kits are salifert................ I like them the best, big time. I even looked for but could not find one. Next time

 

[Spracklcat]

Try propagating your Xenia--if you cut it, it will grow and it is some of the best nutrient export around. I have it growing up the back wall of my tank, which keeps algae off and filters the water.

 

[greggnyce]

pets wharehouse has all of them (saliferts) except magnesium.

 

[Justjoe]

Prepared foods like flake and pellet generally have high PO4's, so be careful there. They are generally great foods so they have their benefits as well.

I bring the Hach Colorimeter to the monthly LIRA meetings and that will test for PO4's and takes the guesswork out of the test kits, so good to test the same water sample with the Hach and your test kit at the meeting for a true side by side comparison.

What is the Marc Weiss supplement SUPPOSED to be doing?