Follow Up Chemistry Question

[maginter]

Hi All -

Thanks again for all your help with figuring out my LPS. I did have a few questions I was hoping you could help me with. I get the Hanna Instruments test devices for Sal, ALK, Phosphate and Calcium. I am getting numbers that I need help on. for the Phosphate, I am actually getting 0.00 in the Hanna tester. Yes, it was 0.00 several times. Here are my other numbers.

Sal 1.023
pH 8.0
ALK 12.5
Ca 440
Mg 1260

So do I need to be concerned about the Phosphate? If so, how do I bring it up or what should I do to keep from removing it?

Thanks!

Mark

 

[andrewey]

Hey Mark,

Are you testing nitrate by any chance? Assuming the 0.00 is accurate, you can increase your phosphate with feeding extra, using high phosphate additives, or dosing phosphate directly. What are you currently using in terms of nutrient reduction (e.g. gfo, skimming, refugium, lanthum chloride, etc.)?

 

[maginter]

Hey Mark,

Are you testing nitrate by any chance? Assuming the 0.00 is accurate, you can increase your phosphate with feeding extra, using high phosphate additives, or dosing phosphate directly. What are you currently using in terms of nutrient reduction (e.g. gfo, skimming, refugium, lanthum chloride, etc.)?

I did check Nitrates and they were 25. I have a refugium with Chaeto and no skimmer. I had the light in the refugium up, but have turned it back to just UV after collecting the test numbers. My assumption was that the Chaeto was sucking up all the Phosphates.