Optimal phosphate level? (Mixed Reef)

[ReefReadyYouTube]

What should a good phosphate level be for a mixed reef be (SPS,LPS,&softies)? My phosphate levels were around a 0.15ppm and I was told that was to low so I brought it up to a 0.30ppm but I think that’s to high. What should it be around?

 

[Scrubber_steve]

0.03 to 0.07 is typically recommended

 

[pecan2phat]

I try to stay at or below 0.1 for my mixed reef.

 

[EakTheFreak]

0.06 - 0.10 is my range. I’ve read tons about success with ULN and triple mine that have all been successful.

 

[ReefReadyYouTube]

0.06 - 0.10 is my range. I’ve read tons about success with ULN and triple mine that have all been successful.

What test kit do you use?

 

[WisconsinReefing]

Timely post. And sorry for somewhat stealing it. Minutes ago I finished my weekly testing and water change and I’ll save most of the details other than phos

3 weeks ago - .05
2 weeks ago - .16
Today - .29


Obviously a change like that is concerning. I don’t currently dose anything. It’s a 40 gallon LPS/soft reef tank.

How concerned should I be, and what should I do?

 

[ReefReadyYouTube]

Timely post. And sorry for somewhat stealing it. Minutes ago I finished my weekly testing and water change and I’ll save most of the details other than phos

3 weeks ago - .05
2 weeks ago - .16
Today - .29


Obviously a change like that is concerning. I don’t currently dose anything. It’s a 40 gallon LPS/soft reef tank.

How concerned should I be, and what should I do?

I fed my fish like 4-5 times a day to raise the phosphate.

 

[WisconsinReefing]

I fed my fish like 4-5 times a day to raise the phosphate.

I’m concerned that the phosphate is steadily increasing with no real changes to what I’m doing.

 

[ReefReadyYouTube]

I’m concerned that the phosphate is steadily increasing with no real changes to what I’m doing.

Are all your fish accounted for? Or inverts? One could have died under some rocks

 

[Crabby48]

I’m concerned that the phosphate is steadily increasing with no real changes to what I’m doing.

did you add a piece of rock or anything like that?
Change food?
And fish?
Only ask because sometimes we forget things.

 

[WisconsinReefing]

Are all your fish accounted for? Or inverts? One could have died under some rocks

All fish yes. I have a BTA that I haven’t seen in 5 weeks. I tried the mirror trick, and the night time flashlight thing. Nothing. But would that make phosphate rise? My ammonia is always at 0

 

[Crabby48]

Skimmer still working properly

 

[WisconsinReefing]

did you add a piece of rock or anything like that?
Change food?
And fish?
Only ask because sometimes we forget things.

Very valid ask. But in the last 3 weeks I haven’t added anything at all. However you did jog this. 3 weeks ago is when I started spot feeding my corals with reef roids. Could that do it?

 

[WisconsinReefing]

Skimmer still working properly

Yes. Working well

 

[ReefReadyYouTube]

Oh that could do it. They recommend you feed like 3-4 times a month the recommended amount of reed roids.

 

[Crabby48]

Very valid ask. But in the last 3 weeks I haven’t added anything at all. However you did jog this. 3 weeks ago is when I started spot feeding my corals with reef roids. Could that do it?

Reef roofs make my po4 go up weekly feeding in 110 running a fuge and skimmer.
Reef roofs is known to add PO4. Use only what is needed spot feeding.

 

[EakTheFreak]

What test kit do you use?

Hannah Ultra Low Phosphate checker

 

[WisconsinReefing]

Reef roofs make my po4 go up weekly feeding in 110 running a fuge and skimmer.
Reef roofs is known to add PO4. Use only what is needed spot feeding.

Wow. Interesting. That is most assuredly it then. Could it also make calcium go up slightly ?

 

[ReefReadyYouTube]

Wow. Interesting. That is most assuredly it then. Could it also make calcium go up slightly ?

I don’t know about that maybe evaporation?

 

[5280Reefer]

I run my tank between .3-.5 for phos and have no issues