Elevated phosphate help needed!

[dpfriedman]

I got a new Hannah LR phosphate checker bc tbh I’ve used the API test in the past and finally bit the bullet and got a new digital tester.

I have a 175g and tested the phosphates 3 times and came back with 2.11ppm. Yes, you read that correctly 2.11.

I have a bunch of tangs and barely run the whites so I don’t have an algae problem.

Need suggestions on how to get the phosphates down. I know I can’t rapidly do it or it’ll stress the corals or potentially crash the tank.

I have added (3) 5.5oz media bags of ChemiPure Blue. Each bag says it’s good for 35 gallons. So I have enough in the sump in the last chamber just before the return pump to treat 105 gallons.

I implemented a Refugium about 2 weeks ago with caulerpa but I know it takes a while for it to kick in.

I test nitrates weekly and they are 40 for this tank.

I do have some PhosGuard that I picked up but didn’t want to add that along with ChemiPure until I got some feedback on the forum.

Any advanced advice appreciated.

 

[CoralB]

Brightwell’s phosphat-e is what I use . You can use GFO but no matter what you use, just bring it down slowly. Phosphat-e is a lantham chloride based product

 

[dpfriedman]

Brightwell’s phosphat-e is what I use . You can use GFO but no matter what you use, just bring it down slowly. Phosphat-e is a lantham chloride based product

I removed my skimmer when I put in my Refugium. Do you have to use a skimmer to use Phosphat-e?

 

[CoralB]

I removed my skimmer when I put in my Refugium. Do you have to use a skimmer to use Phosphat-e?

Not necessarily but I would add it incrementally to the sump preferably in a filter sock

 

[dpfriedman]

Not necessarily

So how does the phosphate get removed if it won’t be skimmed out?

 

[CoralB]

I removed my skimmer when I put in my Refugium. Do you have to use a skimmer to use Phosphat-e?

Do you have enough surface agitation for gas exchange ?

 

[Pistondog]

Skimmer or 5 micron sox, proferably both.
Be cautious with tangs and lanthanum use.

 

[dpfriedman]

Do you have enough surface agitation for gas exchange ?

Yes. I have my power heads pointed up so the surface is constantly agitated.

 

[dpfriedman]

Not necessarily but I would add it incrementally to the sump preferably in a filter sock

I don’t have a filter sock. I installed a RS 1200 ReefMat roller.

 

[CoralB]

I don’t have a filter sock. I installed a RS 1200 ReefMat roller.

Roller Matt should be fine . Just add it to the overflow going down to the rollermatt

 

[Pistondog]

Without a filter sock or skimmer, the lanthanum phosphate flocculant may/will harm your fish, tangs anecdotally are especially susceptable.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I got a new Hannah LR phosphate checker bc tbh I’ve used the API test in the past and finally bit the bullet and got a new digital tester.

I have a 175g and tested the phosphates 3 times and came back with 2.11ppm. Yes, you read that correctly 2.11.

I have a bunch of tangs and barely run the whites so I don’t have an algae problem.

Need suggestions on how to get the phosphates down. I know I can’t rapidly do it or it’ll stress the corals or potentially crash the tank.

I have added (3) 5.5oz media bags of ChemiPure Blue. Each bag says it’s good for 35 gallons. So I have enough in the sump in the last chamber just before the return pump to treat 105 gallons.

I implemented a Refugium about 2 weeks ago with caulerpa but I know it takes a while for it to kick in.

I test nitrates weekly and they are 40 for this tank.

I do have some PhosGuard that I picked up but didn’t want to add that along with ChemiPure until I got some feedback on the forum.

Any advanced advice appreciated.

I rarely if ever use chemicals to lower levels which can either work too quickly leading to other issues or often an alternative and not a solution.

My successful method was 3-4 gallon water changes daily for 10-14 days along with phoszorb media in the sump in path of Running water. Other media which I use full time is ChemiPure elite which contains GFO and will gradually lower po4 and keep it in check

 

[CoralB]

Can also figure a way to place filter floss before the return pump

 

[CoralB]

Ordinarily I would agree with vetteguy 53081 but in your case because of your phosphate number I would be a little more aggressive , but that’s my opinion .Feed less and cut back using reef roids for a while if you using it . Also bring down your nitrates to between 15-20 ppm . You can do water changes while adding brightwells microbactor 7 to bring them down . If you have a sand cleaner attached to your siphon it wouldn’t hurt to clean the sand a bit .

 

[CoralB]

I got a new Hannah LR phosphate checker bc tbh I’ve used the API test in the past and finally bit the bullet and got a new digital tester.

I have a 175g and tested the phosphates 3 times and came back with 2.11ppm. Yes, you read that correctly 2.11.

I have a bunch of tangs and barely run the whites so I don’t have an algae problem.

Need suggestions on how to get the phosphates down. I know I can’t rapidly do it or it’ll stress the corals or potentially crash the tank.

I have added (3) 5.5oz media bags of ChemiPure Blue. Each bag says it’s good for 35 gallons. So I have enough in the sump in the last chamber just before the return pump to treat 105 gallons.

I implemented a Refugium about 2 weeks ago with caulerpa but I know it takes a while for it to kick in.

I test nitrates weekly and they are 40 for this tank.

I do have some PhosGuard that I picked up but didn’t want to add that along with ChemiPure until I got some feedback on the forum.

Any advanced advice appreciated.

Can I ask why you are using chemiclean?

 

[thecitadel]

I had phosphate over 3 lol its been about 2 months now, I'm down to 1.5. I use phosphate E, 50 ml mixed in to 4L rodi and drip it over 3 days.

Tried GFO, tried rowaphos, tried huge water changes over weeks, none worked. I have a giant Refugium, I ran carbon but no need anymore, nitrate stays at 3 currently. I really like phosphate e, but use it wisely. I drip from my overflow into the socks. My tangs are fine, corals finally opened back up, nems coming back out. 220 display, 120 sump.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I got a new Hannah LR phosphate checker bc tbh I’ve used the API test in the past and finally bit the bullet and got a new digital tester.

I have a 175g and tested the phosphates 3 times and came back with 2.11ppm. Yes, you read that correctly 2.11.

I have a bunch of tangs and barely run the whites so I don’t have an algae problem.

Need suggestions on how to get the phosphates down. I know I can’t rapidly do it or it’ll stress the corals or potentially crash the tank.

I have added (3) 5.5oz media bags of ChemiPure Blue. Each bag says it’s good for 35 gallons. So I have enough in the sump in the last chamber just before the return pump to treat 105 gallons.

I implemented a Refugium about 2 weeks ago with caulerpa but I know it takes a while for it to kick in.

I test nitrates weekly and they are 40 for this tank.

I do have some PhosGuard that I picked up but didn’t want to add that along with ChemiPure until I got some feedback on the forum.

Any advanced advice appreciated.

So, your tank is doing fine, correct? Why panic and consider this an emergency? Some run phos over 2 and have amazing tanks.
Just food for thought... You don't want to look back in a couple months and wish you had left things alone.

 

[dpfriedman]

Can I ask why you are using chemiclean?

I just had some that I got at Aquashella.

I had to move my Octo 202 Classic skimmer to the sump off the shelf when I added my ReefMat so I had no area for a Refugium.

Funny story, a couple of weeks ago here at the Reefapalooza Ryan from BRS was at it and he sat and chilled out with me and my gf between speaking gigs and I told him about my issue and he suggested to take out my skimmer and add the macroalgae.

So I removed my skimmer and added a good amount of caulerpa I got from my LFS and hung a Kessill A80 Fuge light and waiting on it to take hold.

After testing my PO4 I knew I had to do something to get them down and let the Fuge take over. I know ChemiPure blue is like GFO on steroids. I was going to just use it for a short time to get the levels headed in the right direction then pull it out. I wouldn’t leave it 24/7 for weeks on it. I’m testing PO4 every other day.