How to lower phosphates

[Reef.]

Would I need a separate pump for a reactor? I have a im lagoon 50 aio or could I put the bag in the chamber where my sump is?

yes, if you don’t have room for a reactor, just use a media bag. Not as affective though.

 

[reefbuilder1010]

If you run gfo, make sure you start with about 10%, trust me, I have learned the hardway

Will definetly keep that in mind thanks for the advice!

 

[reefbuilder1010]

yes, if you don’t have room for a reactor, just use a media bag. Not as affective though.

Ok sounds good thank you so much for all the info!

 

[pseudorand]

Gfo, water changes are not effective since much of phosphate binds to rock and substrate. If it gets above 0.7 look at lanthanum chloride into filter sox over a day or 2.
Like psuedorand said, reef roids and other foods are high sources.

I'm not sure what works fastest, but if you have corals you probably don't want fast. Lowering phosphate too fast can harm them. I can attest that GFO/Phosguard + water changes do work, but over the course of many months.

As for products that help get rid of algae, they may kill it, but those nutrients are still in your tank, feeding the next outbreak. Suck it out during a water change. For GHA, rubber band a toothbrush to the end of your hose and scrub it off, letting the hose sick it out. Do it at least weekly - frequent water changes will also help pull out phosphates. You won't measure a change because there is a balance between phosphate in the water and phosphate captured in the rock. The rocks will leech more phosphate into the water as you remove it. You're only measuring the water, so you won't see a change with your test kit, but rest assured you're taking phosphate out of the tank. Eventually it will start to go down.

Also, budget for lots of salt.

 

[reefbuilder1010]

I'm not sure what works fastest, but if you have corals you probably don't want fast. Lowering phosphate too fast can harm them. I can attest that GFO/Phosguard + water changes do work, but over the course of many months.

As for products that help get rid of algae, they may kill it, but those nutrients are still in your tank, feeding the next outbreak. Suck it out during a water change. For GHA, rubber band a toothbrush to the end of your hose and scrub it off, letting the hose sick it out. Do it at least weekly - frequent water changes will also help pull out phosphates. You won't measure a change because there is a balance between phosphate in the water and phosphate captured in the rock. The rocks will leech more phosphate into the water as you remove it. You're only measuring the water, so you won't see a change with your test kit, but rest assured you're taking phosphate out of the tank. Eventually it will start to go down.

Also, budget for lots of salt.

My coral is not in that tank yet it is in my quarantine tank which the levels are perfect so I’m good there!! Just ordered a media reactor for gfo which should be here this week with my new protein skimmer so that should help a lot also going to do water changes to help also and the tooth brush idea is great never thought of that! Thanks for the information will definitely keep you posted!

 

[Orm Embar]

Phosphate in the Reef Aquarium | REEF2REEF Saltwater and Reef Aquarium Forum

 

[reefbuilder1010]

Got my media reactor and my new tunze 9004 protein skimmer today!! Gonna put them in this weekend when I have time but I also posted some pictures of the algae in my tank it’s a reddish purple color any idea on what it could be?

 

[minus9]

Looks like cyano to me, but I'm using my phone.