Phosphate high

[Jasongtr]

Phosphate levels too high

The tank was started nearly 4 months ago, using dry rock and live sand, it’s only a fluval 32.5g AIO that I’ve added a canister filter to.

It’s a fish only tank and in the new year I’m starting a sump based 75/80g tank that to begin with will also be fish only

We have stopped feeding pellets a couple of weeks ago, just frozen now three times a day

25% water changes are done each week

Parameters today are

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0.25
Phosphate 0.5
PH 7.9 (low I know but hard to keep higher I’m finding)
KH 11.2
Calcium 430
Density 1.025

I have rowaphos here but yet to use it, I’m aware canister filters are not ideal and it won’t be used on the next tank obviously, so what would you do in my circumstances, all fish look healthy and are feeding well

1. Leave it alone as the new tank isn’t far around the corner

2. Use the rowaphos to lower it

3. Something else???

We’ve had what we believe to be a diatom phase and other than some very tiny green patches (5mm) there has been no sign of any algae or anything like that

 

[blaxsun]

You can try RowaPhos or ChemiPure Blue. Or something like Two Little Fishies PhosBan-L (works great, but read instructions and start with half the recommended dosage).

 

[Duffer]

Even frozen food will contain phosphates. Cut back in feeding. Your phosphates are bond to the rock and sand. I tried gfo many times but I have had more success with phos e from brightwell

 

[Jasongtr]

I guess I need to know if at 0.5 it’s harmful to fish, as the new tank is so close I don’t want to stress myself out chasing numbers for a tank that’s being shut down, that said the rock that’s in the tank now will be going into the new sump

 

[blaxsun]

I guess I need to know if at 0.5 it’s harmful to fish, as the new tank is so close I don’t want to stress myself out chasing numbers for a tank that’s being shut down, that said the rock that’s in the tank now will be going into the new sump

No. I'm not even sure if levels of 2.0 are harmful to the fish, but obviously you want to get the levels down a bit (but if you're shutting it down right away, I wouldn't sweat it). I try to aim for 0.1-0.2ppm in my tank.

The only reason to reduce it prior is that some of the phosphates will bind in the rock - so this will carry over to the new tank.

 

[Jasongtr]

No. I'm not even sure if levels of 2.0 are harmful to the fish, but obviously you want to get the levels down a bit (but if you're shutting it down right away, I wouldn't sweat it). I try to aim for 0.1-0.2ppm in my tank.

The only reason to reduce it prior is that some of the phosphates will bind in the rock - so this will carry over to the new tank.

I guess it’s not super high

when we first started we were using api test kits and as you may be aware they are either 0 or 0.25 so we bought a salifert kit thinking it would show between those two and it’s going up, the tank has always shown 0.25 from the start ( though using api of course)

maybe it’s time to get a hanna checker

 

[blaxsun]

The Hanna checkers are probably the most accurate outside of a lab test. I use a Hanna and Nyos titration kit for my phosphate tests.

 

[Jasongtr]

The Hanna checkers are probably the most accurate outside of a lab test. I use a Hanna and Nyos titration kit for my phosphate tests.

Thanks I may as just get one then

 

[Jasongtr]

The Hanna checkers are probably the most accurate outside of a lab test. I use a Hanna and Nyos titration kit for my phosphate tests.

I guess I need to decide on the hanna LR or the Hanna ULR phosphate or bite the bullet and get the marine master kit but that stings at £500

 

[blaxsun]

I guess I need to decide on the hanna LR or the Hanna ULR phosphate or bite the bullet and get the marine master kit but that stings at £500

You definitely don't want the Hanna ULR kit - stick with the high range nitrate kit.

 

[Jasongtr]

You definitely don't want the Hanna ULR kit - stick with the high range nitrate kit.

Phosphate I assume you mean?

the marine master phosphate test is the ULR one

 

[Troylee]

My po4 is high at .54 and my fish nor my corals including Sps mind.. everything is doing great! I got tired of fighting it myself.. just letting the tank do its thing.

 

[Jasongtr]

My po4 is high at .54 and my fish nor my corals including Sps mind.. everything is doing great! I got tired of fighting it myself.. just letting the tank do its thing.

Good to know, as a beginner I’m quickly finding that chasing numbers is a pain in the main part, obviously some are more critically scrutinised

 

[Aqua Man]

I guess I need to decide on the hanna LR or the Hanna ULR phosphate

The ULR phosphate is what you want. It’s the only Hanna that I use. Other tests are done with titration kits. Good enough for me.
Just keep in mind that our tests are hobby grade and not lab grade. Some take practice to get consistent results. Testing at the same time of the day is important too. Testing new saltwater for water changes will help give you an idea if the test is performed correctly.

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

I use Hanna HR nitrate and ULR phosphate. They are the ones I would recommend.

 

[blaxsun]

Phosphate I assume you mean?
the marine master phosphate test is the ULR one

Sorry, yes - stick with the higher resolution one (mine says HI713 on the back).

 

[Jasongtr]

Sorry, yes - stick with the higher resolution one (mine says HI713 on the back).

Ok thanks, by all accounts that’s the one they call the low range, they do a high range one but going to 30.0 ppm I doubt it’s going to be any use, 0 - 2.5ppm on the low range is perfect

thanks

 

[blaxsun]

Ok thanks, by all accounts that’s the one they call the low range, they do a high range one but going to 30.0 ppm I doubt it’s going to be any use, 0 - 2.5ppm on the low range is perfect thanks

Yeah, it's hard to keep up with the various Hanna models they keep rolling out... I think you're right that it's the low-range (even though mine just says "Phosphate" on the front).

 

[Jasongtr]

Yeah, it's hard to keep up with the various Hanna models they keep rolling out... I think you're right that it's the low-range (even though mine just says "Phosphate" on the front).

I think I’ll grab one
Thanks

 

[Jasongtr]

So my hanna tester arrived, tested it twice as I didn’t believe the first reading and thought I’d done something wrong and I get

1.57 and 1.59

seriously higher than the salifert suggests, I think before I panic and start dumping all sorts in the tank I’m going to make up some fresh saltwater and test that to get a reading to go from