Mixed Phosphate information

[Ash321]

Hi guys so iv been working hard to get my levels in check to keep sps. Aiming more towards acros so right now my phosphate is at 0.045 i get mixed information from fellow sps keepers that say keeping phosphate under 0.03 or 2 is key and other people are keeping these levels higher and have great results.

So where do you guys say is the right level?

Also a similar argument with nitrate some say 2-5 some say below 1 and some just dont worry about it!

Thanks in advance

 

[dwest]

Hi guys so iv been working hard to get my levels in check to keep sps. Aiming more towards acros so right now my phosphate is at 0.045 i get mixed information from fellow sps keepers that say keeping phosphate under 0.03 or 2 is key and other people are keeping these levels higher and have great results.

So where do you guys say is the right level?

Also a similar argument with nitrate some say 2-5 some say below 1 and some just dont worry about it!

Thanks in advance

It’s a great question. You will read lots of different information and hopefully will get several answers on this great forum. As a reefer for many years, what this mostly means to me is that you can run with relatively high or low nitrates and phosphates. Just don’t try to drive either to zero. If I were you, I would monitor levels at this point, but not try to control them. Your phosphate levels are great btw.

 

[Gareth elliott]

I think you are fine at .045ppm imo.

Your coral will tell you too much of either.
Too much no3 will brown out.
Too much po4 will stop growing(this is a lot more than you have currently)

Algae will also be a marker if you have more than your corals need and start seeing opportunistic macros growing.

 

[29bonsaireef]

I agree, watch the tank, watch your corals. Strive for healthy acros, not numbers. Make tweaks and when things are looking at their best try to maintain those numbers.

 

[Ash321]

I think you are fine at .045ppm imo.

Your coral will tell you too much of either.
Too much no3 will brown out.
Too much po4 will stop growing(this is a lot more than you have currently)

Algae will also be a marker if you have more than your corals need and start seeing opportunistic macros growing.

Thanks guys. My nitrate is around 2.5 so that shudnt be an issue.

 

[Scorpius]

I shoot for around 5-15ppb on the Hannah ULR Phosphorus Checker. For nitrates I've been as high as 25 with no ill effects.