High PO Help

GoTakeANap · Dec 24, 2023

Hello everyone. I have been battling high PO for awhile ranging .12 up to .25 as of yesterday. I have a fuge running that grows like wildfire but it isn't keeping up with my current po levels. I only feed frozen once a day (LRF and PE Mysis) and a algae sheet for my tangs once every 2-3 days. I wouldn't think that would be to much. I am currently running a Kessil A360X on its highest power under the grow setting. Guessing my current area isn't big enough (8x16) for my 150 gallon setup. Would it be better to switch to a reactor and use GFO to maintain my PO? Need some help or advice on what my options our. Thank you guys!

piranhaman00 · Dec 24, 2023

I use lananthum dosed into a filter sock. Needs to be done with care

jason2459 · Dec 24, 2023

Do you see problems in your display that would cause you to be concerned?

GoTakeANap · Dec 24, 2023

jason2459 said:
Do you see problems in your display that would cause you to be concerned?

Just stunning coral growth with the LPS and lost 2 clams. Not sure if the clams perished bc of this or not.

Uncle99 · Dec 24, 2023

GoTakeANap said:
Just stunning coral growth with the LPS and lost 2 clams. Not sure if the clams perished bc of this or not.

I run .15 to .25ppm for years and I have 6 clams that are 3-4 years old.

I’d change nothing in this regard, keep the stability.

jason2459 · Dec 24, 2023

GoTakeANap said:
Just stunning coral growth with the LPS and lost 2 clams. Not sure if the clams perished bc of this or not.

I don't believe the PO4 levels would cause that. What are your nitrate levels?

Red_Beard · Dec 24, 2023

Uncle99 said:
I run .15 to .25ppm for years and I have 6 clams that are 3-4 years old.

I’d change nothing in this regard, keep the stability.

Same, mine is in the same range. I would also recommend not changing. BUT, should you feel the need, i would add the reactor and use it with the fuge still running. I went through the same hoops with mine, i added some sps and before then i wanted to drop it to the .02-.05 range. I found that this is a very lengthy process as the rocks all soak up the phosphate and will leech it back into the water, making it feel like nothing is happening. Dont over-do it....

john90009 · Dec 24, 2023

How many fish do you have? If you have too many or feed them too often you will always get the numbers to return.

SunSill · Dec 24, 2023

I have same PO4 level (0.25) but my tank is new(3months 8 gallons)
I Add 2 teaspoon of GFO but in 1 week didnt see any changes of PO4. Will check level after 1 week. But maybe less feeding?
If corals are doing well i dont think it is necessary to chase that PO4 level to almost 0..
I am newbie in reef tank, so just interesting in what other says

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Dec 24, 2023

GoTakeANap said:
Hello everyone. I have been battling high PO for awhile ranging .12 up to .25 as of yesterday. I have a fuge running that grows like wildfire but it isn't keeping up with my current po levels. I only feed frozen once a day (LRF and PE Mysis) and a algae sheet for my tangs once every 2-3 days. I wouldn't think that would be to much. I am currently running a Kessil A360X on its highest power under the grow setting. Guessing my current area isn't big enough (8x16) for my 150 gallon setup. Would it be better to switch to a reactor and use GFO to maintain my PO? Need some help or advice on what my options our. Thank you guys!

That's not high PO4...

john90009 · Dec 24, 2023

My tanks fine at .33 phosphates.

GoTakeANap · Dec 24, 2023

john90009 said:
How many fish do you have? If you have too many or feed them too often you will always get the numbers to return.

12 total fish in the tank. Feed once a day.

jason2459 said:
I don't believe the PO4 levels would cause that. What are your nitrate levels?

Nitrates were @ 16.5 when I tested it yesterday afternoon.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal said:
That's not high PO4...

I thought anything over .05 to .10 at the highest is what to shoot for?

Red_Beard · Dec 24, 2023

GoTakeANap said:
12 total fish in the tank. Feed once a day.

Nitrates were @ 16.5 when I tested it yesterday afternoon.

I thought anything over .05 to .10 at the highest is what to shoot for?

For sps and a few others, some of the them dont like the higher levels, and higher p04 values make it harder for skeleton calcification and leads to lighter less dense skeletons. I was running much higher, around .3-.5 for a long time and my zoas, anemones, mushies, lps, and everything but a valadia were going ganhbusters.

Uncle99 · Dec 24, 2023

GoTakeANap said:
12 total fish in the tank. Feed once a day.

Nitrates were @ 16.5 when I tested it yesterday afternoon.

I thought anything over .05 to .10 at the highest is what to shoot for?

Stability is what’s more important within reason.
If your system runs stable at .1ppm them .1ppm is fine.
If your system runs stable at .25ppm then .25ppm is fine.
We find more problems in the lower numbers as phosphate is required by everything in the tank.
I’ve found my system likes a higher phosphate level as it aged.
That nitrate number is fine as well provided it stays roughly there, day in day out.
Anything less than .1ppm starts to result in tired looking corals for me.
Anything less than 0.05ppm may be mis read by the test and could be zero.
That’s when pest algaes seem to thrive.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Dec 24, 2023

GoTakeANap said:
12 total fish in the tank. Feed once a day.

Nitrates were @ 16.5 when I tested it yesterday afternoon.

I thought anything over .05 to .10 at the highest is what to shoot for?

Nope. There are beautiful tanks that run phosphates over 1.0.
Nitrate of 16-17 and phosphate between.15 and .25 seems perfect.