Phosphate must go!!

[That one guy]

I have phosphate at 0.25 and was wondering how to bring it to 0 and keep it there. I have a 46g(60"x15"x12") mix reef.

 

[jayhawk]

That depends on what you are currently using to reduce phos's. A few things to work on. Feeding regiment and filtration (biological, mechanical). Feeding is the easy answer, don't feed more than the fish can consume. Avoid broadcast feeding of corals. Filtration is up to you. Biological would include a refugium, mangrove plants... Mechanical can be GFO, bio-pellets, Red Sea NOPOX, phosguard...I have a 65 gallon display with a 27 gallon sump. I run 350 ml EcoBak Plus bio-pellets. I dose 6ml daily of Red Sea NOPOX. I have a Vertex Omega Skimmer. I dose a few other things and use carbon but it's not that relevant to phosphate. If you elect to use GFO, bio-pellets, or something similar, calculate maximum amount needed and reduce it by 2/3. A mass reduction in phosphates can do more harm than good. I hope this helps....

 

[That one guy]

I heard mangrove plants uses large amount of magnesium? Anyways... I do plan on using GFO. I have an MR1 reactor so what would be the proper pump size needed? Also how much should I start with? I only run a HOB CPR skimmer I do not have a sump.

 

[mike007]

Many say to rinse your frozen foods before adding to tank. Gfo will also help. If you are not having algae issues I would not worry too much about it.

 

[That one guy]

I do have green hair algae problems as well that's where phosphates come in...

 

[jayhawk]

I am not familiar with the MR1 reactor. I do not know if there is a flow regulator (aka ball valve) but I assume you can install one. GFO and other media is about the tumble. Not too much and not too little. Flow is dictated by the media tumble. I would Google the appropriate size pump unless another member has the answer. You can use rowaphos or GFO but the quantity will vary. I would follow the recommendation stated on the products label. Use 1/3 of the max amount for a few weeks and slowly add over time. My personal preference is bio-pellets. IMO, I found that GFO was too messy and I didn't like the monthly maintenance.