Phos high

MohrReefs · Feb 20, 2022

Hello, tank is about 2 years old. Mostly LPS, a couple sps. No corals seem bothered and I have great colors but my Hannah checker was pulling .5-.6 phosphates with 3 tests. No algae issues and I have a massive ball of chaeto in the refugium. Should I bother lowering it since nothing seems bothered? Also, shouldn't the chaeto absorb the phosphates? I figured it would be much lower with a volleyball sized chaeto in a 44gal.

lapin · Feb 20, 2022

Has it always been high or did you just start checking it?

Lavey29 · Feb 20, 2022

If it ain't broke don't fix it

MohrReefs · Feb 20, 2022

lapin said:
Has it always been high or did you just start checking it?

Just started checking again but I did have a gha issue last year and it was about .1 at the time, I scrubbed the rocks outside the tank, got it all off, dosed vibrant for a weeks weeks with a skimmer as filtration. Then I stopped the vibrant and added chaeto. I had no algae or coral issues for 6+ months so I honestly forgot to even check (on top of dealing with a newborn it just wasn't on my mind). Now I check and its through the roof.

Pistondog · Feb 20, 2022

Chaeto will only lower/consume po4 and nitrate in 1 to 16 ratio. So it will consume some, but more nitrates. Ideally, below 0.1 or 0.2 is desirable.

MohrReefs · Feb 20, 2022

Lots of typos in my reply, edited.

Pistondog · Feb 20, 2022

The chaeto will be less effective after vibrant for some weeks

MohrReefs · Feb 20, 2022

Pistondog said:
Chaeto will only lower/consume po4 and nitrate in 1 to 16 ratio. So it will consume some, but more nitrates. Ideally, below 0.1 or 0.2 is desirable.

I'm also wondering if I did the test right. I got three different reading, .64, .62 and .52. I thought the .1 jump was odd so I question if I did it right. I know bubbles, undissolved reagent and fingerprints can throw the test wildly with Hannah checker.