Help! Outrageous Phosphate levels???

[Andrew Schubert]

I dont understand this? I'm running zeovit, with approx 13 fish in my DT. I've never had PO4 over .13....however, i had to remove all my fish 2 weeks ago as ich outbreak took effect. During this time I started seeing my PO4 going up. I finally got all fish out of tank, but despite never feeding the tank and no fish in tank for a week plus now, PO4 keeps going up. I cant even tell u what it's at, as my Hanna Checker regent is solid blue, and way over the limit for it to read. I've now add GFO to try and help with no luck either.

For the first time ever my tank is now covered in hair algae.

I dont understand what is going on, or why?

 

[CuzzA]

I dont understand this? I'm running zeovit, with approx 13 fish in my DT. I've never had PO4 over .13....however, i had to remove all my fish 2 weeks ago as ich outbreak took effect. During this time I started seeing my PO4 going up. I finally got all fish out of tank, but despite never feeding the tank and no fish in tank for a week plus now, PO4 keeps going up. I cant even tell u what it's at, as my Hanna Checker regent is solid blue, and way over the limit for it to read. I've now add GFO to try and help with no luck either.

For the first time ever my tank is now covered in hair algae.

I dont understand what is going on, or why?

Fallow sucks, man. I assume you have tangs? Perhaps you're just seeing the results of a break in the food chain. The phosphorus was probably there, exacerbated by disturbing the reef catching fish, perhaps crushed a snail, the algae may have always been in check by tangs, but no longer and now you're seeing the delayed reaction.

 

[piranhaman00]

Rocks could possibly be leaching. Is the tank new or new rocks added?

 

[sde1500]

Double check with new reagent would be my first thought. If anything ever rockets inexplicably out of the norm it pays to double check before reacting.

 

[hankacrank]

I mean I was thinking double check reagent too until he shared that algae is starting to explode. Makes it concerning that his PO4 levels are truly taking off.

Have you tried running to the store and grabbing a bag of chemipure elite? It can take phos levels down within a matter of hours. Normally I'd say don't make quick corrections, however if PO4 has truly been spiking in rapid fashion, then it is OK to rapidly correct.