I have a 180 gallon tank with a 55 gallon sump. I run 2 skimmers a sca302 and a reef octopus 110nt. Reason is chaeto dies in my refugium. I have between 20 to 30 nitrates and zero phosphate. I have tested with hanna, salifert, red sea , and nyos. All say the same. I quit nopox because it caused slime at 5 MLS a day, guess cause no phosphate. Should I dose phosphate and use nopox then. Or maybe start back my refugium and dose phosphate? Thanks in advance.
Phosphate issues
- Thread starter Bulldog39
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Brew12
Electrical Gru
Are you sure your chaeto didn't die from a lack of iron? Chaeto shouldn't need much PO4 and if you aren't using GFO there should be enough in your system. My experience is that most salt mixes do not have enough iron in them and that chaeto will grow fine for a few weeks then die. I was able to stop that by using an iron supplement.
Matt Carden
Valuable Member
Do you test for iron? How much and what to dose? Thanks
Brew12
Electrical Gru
I got my iron test kit as part of the RedSea multi-test kit. I use the Redsea Trace Colors part C but there are quite a few options for iron supplements. They are very popular with fresh water planted tanks. I rarely test for iron. Most systems will handle a wide range of iron levels.
