No phosphate but can grow chaeto

[bubbaque]

I can not get a phosphate reading on the Hanna phosphorus checker but I am able to go chaeto fairly well. I always see to get the best color on sps, phosphate should be detectable.

Should I worry about not getting a reading as long as I am growing chaeto, which means there must be some in the water?

 

[CodyRVA]

If you're losing color then you likely do have too low nutrients, and if you're not then I wouldn't worry about it. I have no clue if chaeto is able to absorb or utilize nutrients faster than coral, but if it can, this may be why your chaeto grows while your corals fade. Maybe run your fuge light less, or feed a bit more. Whatever you do, if anything, do it slowly over time so you can track your changes closely. Are you dosing any coral food like amino acids?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I can not get a phosphate reading on the Hanna phosphorus checker but I am able to go chaeto fairly well. I always see to get the best color on sps, phosphate should be detectable.

Should I worry about not getting a reading as long as I am growing chaeto, which means there must be some in the water?

yup.
how do the corals look? thats key.

 

[bubbaque]

Colors aren't faded but didn't know if I could get better colors by raising it some.

 

[bubbaque]

I feed ousterfeast daily

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Colors aren't faded but didn't know if I could get better colors by raising it some.

pull some chato. feed a little harder. id say you hit a balance, regardless of the numbers.

 

[CodyRVA]

Colors aren't faded but didn't know if I could get better colors by raising it some.

If you haven't noticed any fading then you're playing with fire on the nutrients side, I would leave it alone. Do you do water changes or any means of providing trace elements? Red Sea's coloration program might be worth a test run. Lighting?

 

[bubbaque]

I only use the chaeto for pods.

 

[CodyRVA]

I only use the chaeto for pods.

That might be your initial intent, but the chaeto is doing more than just creating a home for your pods. I believe @saltyfilmfolks is suggesting you remove some chaeto so it absorbs less nutrients from the water column; in hopes of leaving more behind for your coral. The more chaeto you have in your system, the more nutrients its going to absorb... potentially...

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

That might be your initial intent, but the chaeto is doing more than just creating a home for your pods. I believe @saltyfilmfolks is suggesting you remove some chaeto so it absorbs less nutrients from the water column; in hopes of leaving more behind for your coral. The more chaeto you have in your system, the more nutrients its going to absorb... potentially...

exactly.
you can skip a water change to increase NO, pull chato to increase Po and no. and skim drier.
Or not worry about it much.
Minerals and nutrints AND light intensity play a role in actual color.
A does the fixture you have aesthetically(perceived color)