Phosphate 0.08

Ry1 · Mar 5, 2021

Hi guys, so my SPS that i have in my tank has been looking a little dull and bleached recently, all my tests were coming back good but i was unsure about the phosphate as it is hard to tell with the colour chart so I invested in a HANNAH checker. I just received it and did a test and the result was 0.08. I no this is on the higher side and i also have a little algae problem which i guess is using up some phosphate so may even be higher. Can this be my issue to the sps being bleached and the algae problem or is it not high enough for that to be the issue. Thanks guys

Oldreefer44 · Mar 5, 2021

IMO.....no. I would test everything else. I have run with PO4 at higher levels than that with no issues so likely something else; or a combination of factors.

Super Fly · Mar 5, 2021

Ry1 said:
Hi guys, so my SPS that i have in my tank has been looking a little dull and bleached recently, all my tests were coming back good but i was unsure about the phosphate as it is hard to tell with the colour chart so I invested in a HANNAH checker. I just received it and did a test and the result was 0.08. I no this is on the higher side and i also have a little algae problem which i guess is using up some phosphate so may even be higher. Can this be my issue to the sps being bleached and the algae problem or is it not high enough for that to be the issue. Thanks guys

what is Alk level?

Ry1 · Mar 5, 2021

Super Fly said:
what is Alk level?

8.5

Super Fly · Mar 5, 2021

8.5 should be ok, did the level spike recently? any pix?

Guy714 · Mar 5, 2021

I think 0.08 phosphate isn’t that bad. You should test nitrate as well.

Ry1 · Mar 5, 2021

Guy714 said:
I think 0.08 phosphate isn’t that bad. You should test nitrate as well.

Nitrate is 3

Ry1 · Mar 5, 2021

Super Fly said:
8.5 should be ok, did the level spike recently? any pix?

The Alk was low when tested with a friends hannah at 6.5, i dosed it back up to 8.5 about a week ago.

Super Fly · Mar 5, 2021

Ry1 said:
The Alk was low when tested with a friends hannah at 6.5, i dosed it back up to 8.5 about a week ago.

how quickly was Alk increased and did the sps start bleaching after the increase?

Crustaceon · Mar 5, 2021

Is it bleaching or is it RTN? Just asking because we hear this a lot. If it’s not RTN and you’re not looking at skeleton, then your nutrient level (either nitrates or feeding amount) might be a tad too low for your system’s needs.

Ry1 · Mar 5, 2021

Super Fly said:
how quickly was Alk increased and did the sps start bleaching after the increase?

Over the course of 4 days and they was a little dull just before

Ry1 · Mar 5, 2021

Crustaceon said:
Is it bleaching or is it RTN? Just asking because we hear this a lot. If it’s not RTN and you’re not looking at skeleton, then your nutrient level (either nitrates or feeding amount) might be a tad too low for your system’s needs.

Reading up on RTN, i guess this could be the case as i maybe upped the AlK a little to quick.

Super Fly · Mar 5, 2021

6.5 to 8.5 in 4 days should be ok. how long have u had the sps and where is it the "bleaching" (tips or base) also any pix?..

Crustaceon · Mar 5, 2021

Super Fly said:
6.5 to 8.5 in 4 days should be ok. how long have u had the sps and where is it the "bleaching" (tips or base) also any pix?..

Yeah, I don’t think that’s too quick either.

rusgum · Mar 5, 2021

Ry1 said:
Hi guys, so my SPS that i have in my tank has been looking a little dull and bleached recently, all my tests were coming back good but i was unsure about the phosphate as it is hard to tell with the colour chart so I invested in a HANNAH checker. I just received it and did a test and the result was 0.08. I no this is on the higher side and i also have a little algae problem which i guess is using up some phosphate so may even be higher. Can this be my issue to the sps being bleached and the algae problem or is it not high enough for that to be the issue. Thanks guys

If you have diode lighting then phosphate is in a good range. I generally keep phosphate at least 0.1. Look for a problem elsewhere.

rusgum · Mar 5, 2021

Ry1 said:
Hi guys, so my SPS that i have in my tank has been looking a little dull and bleached recently, all my tests were coming back good but i was unsure about the phosphate as it is hard to tell with the colour chart so I invested in a HANNAH checker. I just received it and did a test and the result was 0.08. I no this is on the higher side and i also have a little algae problem which i guess is using up some phosphate so may even be higher. Can this be my issue to the sps being bleached and the algae problem or is it not high enough for that to be the issue. Thanks guys

What is the light source? What PAR?