How to get Phosphates down

[austin_socal]

Hi everyone-
I checked my levels today and my phosphates were at 0.25 and my nitrates were at 0. Anyone know how to lower the phosphates?

 

[GatorGreg]

Aren’t you the poster from yesterday with a Dino problem? It’s surprising that you’d have .25 phosphates and Dino’s.

Usually in the throes of a Dino bloom everyone’s phosphates are at or very 0

 

[BristleWormHater]

Worry about getting your Nitrates up. Phosphates should be at 0.4ppm unless your running a 0 nutrient acro system.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hi everyone-
I checked my levels today and my phosphates were at 0.25 and my nitrates were at 0. Anyone know how to lower the phosphates?

Much more potentially important is to get nitrate up. I recommend dosing food grade ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium chloride, sodium nitrate, or calcium nitrate.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Worry about getting your Nitrates up. Phosphates should be at 0.4ppm unless your running a 0 nutrient acro system.

That seems excessive, IMO. 0.5 ppm phosphate has been shown to reduce coral calcification rates.

I recommend 0.02 to 0.1 ppm, with values above that range better than below it.

 

[BristleWormHater]

That seems excessive, IMO. 0.5 ppm phosphate has been shown to reduce coral calcification rates.

I recommend 0.02 to 0.1 ppm, with values above that range better than below it.

Sounds good

 

[Formulator]

I recommend 0.02 to 0.1 ppm, with values above that range better than below it.

That seems to be the consensus around here, but where did we get that range? I have better luck with stability in the 0.1-0.2 range and corals, including acros, do just fine. LPS even seem to prefer it.

 

[GatorGreg]

That seems to be the consensus around here, but where did we get that range? I have better luck with stability in the 0.1-0.2 range and corals, including acros, do just fine. LPS even seem to prefer it.

How old is your tank?

A new and immature tank trying to run phosphates at 0.2 with high LED lighting is probably going to be an algae farm. A mature tank running .2 is probably going to do wonderful.

 

[Formulator]

How old is your tank?

A new and immature tank trying to run phosphates at 0.2 with high LED lighting is probably going to be an algae farm. A mature tank running .2 is probably going to do wonderful.

Ah, good point. Mine is almost 9 years old running MH/T5 lighting.

 

[Formulator]

Hi everyone-
I checked my levels today and my phosphates were at 0.25 and my nitrates were at 0. Anyone know how to lower the phosphates?

Raise the nitrate and the phosphate may come down on its own. I use neonitro in my tank to keep nitrates up. Another option is to dose ammonia via ammonium chloride and let the bacteria convert it to nitrate. Corals can benefit more directly from ammonia, but it is a bit more DIY than the neonitro option and potentially more dangerous to livestock if not done properly.

 

[austin_socal]

Raise the nitrate and the phosphate may come down on its own. I use neonitro in my tank to keep nitrates up. Another option is to dose ammonia via ammonium chloride and let the bacteria convert it to nitrate. Corals can benefit more directly from ammonia, but it is a bit more DIY than the neonitro option and potentially more dangerous to livestock if not done properly.

Ok, thank you. I am currently having an issue with Dino’s and GHA. Do you think that is causing it?

 

[Formulator]

Ok, thank you. I am currently having an issue with Dino’s and GHA. Do you think that is causing it?

Yes, having zero nitrates often invites opportunistic pests, especially dinos. Get those up to 10-20 ppm ASAP. Also, if you haven’t seen this article on dinos, I strongly recommend it. You may need to be proactive to eradicate the dinos and raising the nitrate is only the first step.

Article: Dino Treatment Guide

 

[saltyfins]

Aren’t you the poster from yesterday with a Dino problem? It’s surprising that you’d have .25 phosphates and Dino’s.

Usually in the throes of a Dino bloom everyone’s phosphates are at or very 0

not at all the case. Mine where higher like this and I had LCA dinos. was a bear

 

[Lavey29]

That seems excessive, IMO. 0.5 ppm phosphate has been shown to reduce coral calcification rates.

I recommend 0.02 to 0.1 ppm, with values above that range better than below it.

While I don't disagree, my phosphates are always elevated around. .4 and even up to .79 but my corals especially SPS are growing like weeds now. I run 20 nitrates though to.

 

[austin_socal]

While I don't disagree, my phosphates are always elevated around. .4 and even up to .79 but my corals especially SPS are growing like weeds now. I run 20 nitrates though to.

Are your lps doing well? Reefapalooza is coming up and I was planning on getting lots of LPS.

 

[austin_socal]

Aren’t you the poster from yesterday with a Dino problem? It’s surprising that you’d have .25 phosphates and Dino’s.

Usually in the throes of a Dino bloom everyone’s phosphates are at or very 0

Yeah, I am lol. So weird. I tested my water and it is at 0 for nitrates and 0.25 for phos. I got one piece of coral right now and it looks great! (Better in person)

 

[Spare time]

What test kit? Sounds like api

 

[austin_socal]

What test kit? Sounds like api

Yup, API.

 

[austin_socal]

What test kit? Sounds like api

Can’t afford the Hanna kits lol

 

[NonstopSoda]

Can’t afford the Hanna kits lol

If you can, get a second opinion/test from your LFS, If im having issues i usually go to both my lFS to double check my readings