Help Phosphates are extremely high!
- Thread starter CoralReefer1019
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Are there issues in the tank?
https://hannainst.com/resources/aqu...phate-conversion-table--hanna-instruments.pdf
https://hannainst.com/resources/aqu...phate-conversion-table--hanna-instruments.pdf
OP
OP
CoralReefer1019
Well-Known Member
My buddy tested it for me and got 200 ppb which is off the charts.
I’m getting a green type of algae, with slight hairs kinda slimey, that blows off when I place a coral frag in front of my power head. My Nitrates are in check same with other parameters
Gonebad395
Anemone hound
I just had the same thing today and posted today.
Here’s a link to my thread hope it helps I’m watching yours also. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fluconzola.557413/#post-5721961
Here’s a link to my thread hope it helps I’m watching yours also. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fluconzola.557413/#post-5721961
OP
OP
CoralReefer1019
Well-Known Member
Im already running GFO in a reactor
OP
OP
CoralReefer1019
Well-Known Member
GFO was changed on 2/14/19 I'm using 1/2 Cup for my 60G system. I changed this stuff once a month
OP
OP
CoralReefer1019
Well-Known Member
checked it twice with Hanna and it went to 200 ppb smh
How often do you check it?
Was this over night or has it been building for months?
Have you checked with another kit or used your kit to test someone elses water?
Was this over night or has it been building for months?
Have you checked with another kit or used your kit to test someone elses water?
Gonebad395
Anemone hound
I was told at 200ppm you don’t know how high it is cause the Hanna only goes to 200 so it could be 300 400 who knows so you could be exhausting your gfo super fast. Just something to think about
OP
OP
CoralReefer1019
Well-Known Member
well I have been using API to test my phosphates and it was testing really good as if there was no PO4 but I was getting algae still, so I had my buddy test it with Hanna and it can back 200 ppb twice! I assume it has been building for months, he checked his water with the same test kit and it came back good.
Larry L
Valuable Member
200 ppm on the Hanna phosphorus checker corresponds to 0.613 ppm phosphates. Plenty of people run successful tanks with phosphates that high, although they probably tend to be the exception rather than the rule, and you're right that since 200 is the max reading for that checker you have no idea how much higher than that your phosphates might actually be. (FWIW I'm in the same boat with the 200+ readings, but I haven't been having any algae problems and my SPS seem to be doing fine so I'm not worrying too much about it.)
My guess is that you just aren't running enough GFO to keep up with your phosphate production, and it's been creeping up for a while. BRS recommends about a cup of GFO for a tank your size, changed monthly. If I were you, instead of starting to dose something new, I'd try to get a handle on how much the 1/2 cup of GFO is actually dropping your phosphates. Either borrow that checker again for a while, or invest in one of your own, and check the phosphates daily or every few days after putting in some fresh GFO. Since your phosphates are really high, you'll probably see them drop for the first few days (depending on how good the flow is though the media), but then as the GFO is exhausted your phosphates will bottom out at some level and then start going back up, way before a month has gone by. If that happens, then you either need to use more GFO, or change it out more often, until you get your phosphates into the range you want, but be careful not to drop them too fast. Once you start getting down in the range you're shooting for, then you can back off on the amount GFO or change it less often, to try to keep a balance between the amount of phosphates it removes and the amount your tank builds back up.
My guess is that you just aren't running enough GFO to keep up with your phosphate production, and it's been creeping up for a while. BRS recommends about a cup of GFO for a tank your size, changed monthly. If I were you, instead of starting to dose something new, I'd try to get a handle on how much the 1/2 cup of GFO is actually dropping your phosphates. Either borrow that checker again for a while, or invest in one of your own, and check the phosphates daily or every few days after putting in some fresh GFO. Since your phosphates are really high, you'll probably see them drop for the first few days (depending on how good the flow is though the media), but then as the GFO is exhausted your phosphates will bottom out at some level and then start going back up, way before a month has gone by. If that happens, then you either need to use more GFO, or change it out more often, until you get your phosphates into the range you want, but be careful not to drop them too fast. Once you start getting down in the range you're shooting for, then you can back off on the amount GFO or change it less often, to try to keep a balance between the amount of phosphates it removes and the amount your tank builds back up.
OP
OP
CoralReefer1019
Well-Known Member
I will increase the GFO and invest in my own Hanna checker. I want to start a chemical product because GFO can get really expensive. If I was to start a chemical treatment what do you recommend? I will dose very lightly and test phosphates daily.
GrizFyrFyter
Well-Known Member
Brightwell Aquatics phosphate - e.
I have it hooked up to a dosing pump. I struggle to keep my nitrates down to 10ppm but my phosphates are 0.03-0.05 consistently.
Roughly 220g system with 24 fish including 9 tangs.
OP
OP
CoralReefer1019
Well-Known Member
is that the same and/or better than NoPox or any other product?
GrizFyrFyter
Well-Known Member
Nopox is carbon dosing for bacterial growth to consume nutrients.
The Brightwell Aquatics stuff is lanthanum chloride. It physically bonds with phosphates. You need a strong Skimmer or frequent filter sock changed to pull those solids out after they form.
