Elevated PO4
- Thread starter Darth Polymnus
- Start date
- Tagged users None
watdachuck
Valuable Member
How deep is your sand/gravel? It is definitely possible during siphoning you are releasing deposits of many types into the tank. At times I disturb the perimeter of the tank while cleaning the glass on purpose to release some "coral food" into the water, but try not to bother the substrate too much.
Have you tested the water that you are using during water changes? Are you using any type of PO4 absorber?
Have you tested the water that you are using during water changes? Are you using any type of PO4 absorber?
Yes, generally mixing up the substrate will release a bunch of detritus that has gotten stuck and cause PO4 to go up briefly, and can cause mini cycles sometimes.
OP
OP
Darth Polymnus
Community Member
My sand bed is about 4 inches. I currently use GFO. I water change and top off with RO/DI and it tests at 0 levels.
watdachuck
Valuable Member
IMO this is a situation where doing less (siphoning) will do more. I would let the deep sand bed do its job and not disturb it too much. Water changes and the right Phos absorbing media should bring them down.
KoleTang
Valuable Member
How many times have you siphoned it now? If it has been a good amount, a large portion of the "toxins" in the sand should be removed. Each time you disturb it (on a routinely basis), the less junk is released.
OP
OP
Darth Polymnus
Community Member
I've siphoned 3 weekends in a row. It looks a whole lot better, so now I'm going to concentrate on just removing water and leaving the substrate be for now.
KoleTang
Valuable Member
You'e already taken the brunt of the bad effect from stirring the sand. I'd keep it up weekly otherwise you will be in the same boat 6 months from now.
