Cyano Dieoff causing Phosphate Spike?

[Jdubs]

Looks like my tank is getting to the end of the cyano stage after tank startup. Can the cyano going away cause a phosphate spike from .09 to .51? My nitrates are staying at 2 ppm with my weekly water change of 20%. I’ve also been feeding with flake food. Could that be the cause? Thanks for the help.

 

[Spare time]

It can cause a phosphate spike for sure if you had a decent amount. Anything dying in mass can lead to waste levels going up. As for flakes, it could be an issue if you have lots of flakes not being eaten.

 

[Jdubs]

Thankyou. I don’t over feed so that’s probably not the issue. There was a good amount of cyano before but not a massive amount. Thank you

It can cause a phosphate spike for sure if you had a decent amount. Anything dying in mass can lead to waste levels going up. As for flakes, it could be an issue if you have lots of flakes not being eaten.

 

[Spare time]

0.5 isn't something to panic about and can easily be brought down by some media or a water change or two!

 

[Jdubs]

0.5 isn't something to panic about and can easily be brought down by some media or a water change or two!

Good to hear. Everything seems fine so I plan on doing a water change tomorrow

 

[Dan_P]

Looks like my tank is getting to the end of the cyano stage after tank startup. Can the cyano going away cause a phosphate spike from .09 to .51? My nitrates are staying at 2 ppm with my weekly water change of 20%. I’ve also been feeding with flake food. Could that be the cause? Thanks for the help.

How much flake food do you add a day? What is the % phosphorous in the flake food? How many gallons in your system?

 

[Jdubs]

How much flake food do you add a day? What is the % phosphorous in the flake food? How many gallons in your system?

I add just enough for what the fish eat. It says it has min 1.1% phosphorus. The whole system is 130 gallons including sump. I did a 20 gallon water change this morning and the phosphate went from .51 to .18 so I feel like it’s the cyano releasing phosphate as it dies off.

 

[Dan_P]

I add just enough for what the fish eat. It says it has min 1.1% phosphorus. The whole system is 130 gallons including sump. I did a 20 gallon water change this morning and the phosphate went from .51 to .18 so I feel like it’s the cyano releasing phosphate as it dies off.

The observed drop in PO4 seems larger than you should have gotten from that size water change.

 

[Jdubs]

Could have been a bad test. I use a Hanna ulr phosphate tester.