Biocube 29 phosphate problem

[aquariumrescueunit]

I have a biocube rimless 29 gallon reef tank and have had for about 2 years. My local fish store where I USE to get water sold me water that was filtered through a bad RO pump from the 70's and the ammonia and phosphate levels were sky high. The second I realized this I began mixing my own water. My test kit was reading the phosphate as high as it will possibly read, I usually run purigen or a poly filter, a protein skimmer, and now I'm running Phosguard to get it back to normal. I've gotten it down to around .3 phosphates in 2 weeks. I do frequent water changes also. The phosphate ppms don't seem to be declining very fast since I've gotten them down to low levels. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to lower phosphate? Also, now that the phosphate is around .3 do you think I am safe to buy coral to replace the stuff that died during all this? Thanks y'all

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The phosphate will be stuck to the sand and rock, so it gets harder and harder to remove it since the bound phosphate keeps coming off into the water, but something like phosguard or GFO, or lanthanum if cost is a big issue, can be used to lower phosphate in the short term.

 

[aquariumrescueunit]

Any ideas for long term phosphate reduction? I read that you can use Phosguard 24/7 untill it becomes exhausted. I guess what this means tho is that it's gonna be a long road to 0 phosphates, but thanks for the advice! I understand much better where it's coming from now

 

[saltyphish]

I am using the hog.5 algae scrubber from Santa Monica in my 29 biocube with hopes of doing just that.

 

[aquariumrescueunit]

I've got one going In my fuge with a copepod colony living in there, I just had to replace it cause the copepods are eating it but glad to know I'm on the right track

 

[aquariumrescueunit]

I discovered a new product called phosphate rx, apparently you add some drops and it makes your skimmer go overkill and lowers by 1ppm in 24 hours...right now I'm at .3 phosphates, can not wait till my order of this stuff comes in I could be back runnin smooth in a week!