What's the verdict on phosphate?

[schoch79]

So.....like the title says, what's the verdict? For soft corals is it a good thing or bad thing? I've read things that say soft corals like dirtier water and thrive in nitrate/phosphate rich waters but I've also heard phosphates are bad for all corals and even soft coral will grow quicker with less phosphate. That said I've seen awesome mixed reefs with beautiful, colored up sps with some awesome looking leathers and other soft corals as well. Or is it just that soft corals in general "tolerate" more phosphate/nitrates but would do better in a cleaner system? Thanks for looking, hopefully someone has an informed answer that helps more than just myself.

 

[jwoyshnar]

My softies close up when phosphates go up.

 

[happyclam]

I would say it is not a big deal, but less is always better. I have read where all corals, even SPS, grow well/better with elevated nitrates (obviously less color). However, I have never heard anything good about phosphates except that it causes hair algae. Also, I read somewhere where they showed how lagoon phosphate and nitrate concentrations could be something like 2-3x greater than that on the fore reef, but the concentrations are still between 1-3 ppm NO3 and less than 0.5 ppm PO4. Also, I think it depends a lot on the coral. Leathers can be found living next to SPS on the fore reef as well in sediment-laden lagoons with heavy NO3, so it shows there fine with pretty much anything. I think since the softies seem to grow fine in either type of system, I would strive to keep a cleaner environement, just so everyone stays healthy and a long lifespan for the tank.

I am a beginner though, so I do not have much experience.