Phosphate help

[Steven91]

A few weeks ago I notice I had very high nitrates and phosphates, NO3 being at over 75 ppm and PO4 being at .23 ppm. I started dosing Nopox, starting with half doses before going to full doses. Today I did all my test and notice my NO3 was near 0 (using API), so I was very happy there, though when I did my PO4 testing it was at .61 ppm or maybe even higher (Hannah check ULR). Im planning on doing a water change on Sunday but I am open to other suggestions to help get my PO4 under control as it seems to keep climbing

 

[ZaneTer]

You have many options:
GFO
Lanthanum Chloride
Macroalgae (you will need to add some NO3)

If one of those options takes your fancy then tell us and we can give you a bit of a guide.

 

[Lasse]

A few weeks ago I notice I had very high nitrates and phosphates, NO3 being at over 75 ppm and PO4 being at .23 ppm. I started dosing Nopox, starting with half doses before going to full doses. Today I did all my test and notice my NO3 was near 0 (using API), so I was very happy there, though when I did my PO4 testing it was at .61 ppm or maybe even higher (Hannah check ULR). Im planning on doing a water change on Sunday but I am open to other suggestions to help get my PO4 under control as it seems to keep climbing

How old is the tank? The figures, and their change, makes no sense at all for me. IMO - with dosing of DOC (NoPox in this case) PO4 use to go down first.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[IslandLifeReef]

You could also use Phosban, just be sure to rinse it well with RODI water before putting it in your tank.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I agree there are lots of ways to reduce phosphate, and in this case, assuming the tests are correct, you want to use a phospahte only method, rather than one that also takes out nitrate. That pretty much leaves a binder of some sort: GFO or soluble iron, soluble lanthanum, aluminum oxide solid. (the macro plus nitrate mentioned above will also work)

 

[Steven91]

How old is the tank? The figures, and their change, makes no sense at all for me. IMO - with dosing of DOC (NoPox in this case) PO4 use to go down first.

Sincerely Lasse

The tank is a little less than a year old

 

[Taby]

As mentioned above using macro algae is a great way to reduce nutrients. I dose nitrate to reduce my phosphates. It's easier for me to maintain parameters when you are adding the specific nutrients/elements.