Phosphate Levels

[kiwis]

I've jut picked up a phosphate kit and done a test, my levels are at about 0.25. My red sea book suggests <1ppm for fish at 0.08-0.012 for reef.

My tank is only new it's about 130L and being cycled now.

Should I try remove my phosphates or not worry now?

If I should remove - best recommendations other than a complete water change as I'm trying to cycle.

 

[BedrockIOMC]

I've jut picked up a phosphate kit and done a test, my levels are at about 0.25. My red sea book suggests <1ppm for fish at 0.08-0.012 for reef.

My tank is only new it's about 130L and being cycled now.

Should I try remove my phosphates or not worry now?

If I should remove - best recommendations other than a complete water change as I'm trying to cycle.

If you are cycling it right now I would only worry about ammonia and nitrites.

 

[Daniel92481]

I’m no expert, but ideally you want them below 0.1 depending on livestock. Having them at 0.25 is not a big deal for softies and LPS as they prefer nutrient rich levels. Hope this helps.

 

[Reefer Deez]

This is just my opinion but if your not trying to stock your tank with anything meaning live stock I would let the tank cycle and do its thing naturally. If you don't want to wait and you want to lower it now I would suggest a reactor with GFO. I have tried carbon dosing and I wasn't happy with the results even though alot of people have great success with carbon dosing. Remember what works for one tank might not work for another. Also patience is key in this hobby we all learn that the hard way, well at least I did if you go with the GFO start out with a small quantity and work your way up testing as much as possible and the gro has to tumble just a little bit so it dosent stick togather otherwise it will turn I to a rock. If tumbled to fast it will turn to powder and go into your water. I hope this helps or at least gets you going on the path you want to take don't be shy ask alot of questions there are alot of really kind people here that will help you with anything you may need! Good luck and happy reefing!

 

[Waters]

What type of test kit are you using? A lot of them will not read low enough to be useful. API for example doesn't read any lower than .25.

 

[kiwis]

Well I’m using API.

Based on their kit I should be looking for a zero reading for very close too

 

[BluTang85]

This is just my opinion but if your not trying to stock your tank with anything meaning live stock I would let the tank cycle and do its thing naturally. If you don't want to wait and you want to lower it now I would suggest a reactor with GFO. I have tried carbon dosing and I wasn't happy with the results even though alot of people have great success with carbon dosing. Remember what works for one tank might not work for another. Also patience is key in this hobby we all learn that the hard way, well at least I did if you go with the GFO start out with a small quantity and work your way up testing as much as possible and the gro has to tumble just a little bit so it dosent stick togather otherwise it will turn I to a rock. If tumbled to fast it will turn to powder and go into your water. I hope this helps or at least gets you going on the path you want to take don't be shy ask alot of questions there are alot of really kind people here that will help you with anything you may need! Good luck and happy reefing!

Perfectly said!

 

[Jesterrace]

I agree. Leave it alone for now and then check once the cycle is done. Messing with a tank in the middle of a cycle rarely ends well.

 

[Waters]

Well I’m using API.

Based on their kit I should be looking for a zero reading for very close too

Yeah, API kits can be useful for some things (like reading ammonia or nitrite) but Phosphates unfortunately is not one of those things....especially when you start keeping coral. For fish only though, like you currently have, I wouldn't worry about them at all.

 

[kiwis]

Sweet, we'll I'm doing fish only for now so will keep using the API kit and if / when i move to corals I'll worry about it.

Still happy to wait for the cycle to finish