Phosphate questions

[Brew12]

I know high phosphates can inhibit calcification in corals.

How high is too high? I've read some of Randy's articles and it seems like 0.2ppm is where the trouble starts. Did I read that correctly?

What are the symptoms of high phosphate?

 

[TbyZ]

the opinions on this issue are like clouds. There are lots of them & they keep changing.

I would say that new tanks must keep PO4 low - 0.03 to avoid algae issues.

However, in a well established aquarium with softies, for instance, very low levels are not necessary.

In an established aquarium with SPS, where higher level of PO4 have gradually built up, some corals become tolerant.

However, when new pieces of coral are introduced to a tank with high PO4, they can have trouble adapting, coming from a low PO4 environment.

 

[XNavyDiver]

I know high phosphates can inhibit calcification in corals.

How high is too high? I've read some of Randy's articles and it seems like 0.2ppm is where the trouble starts. Did I read that correctly?

What are the symptoms of high phosphate?

Mine started creeping up so I knocked it back when it finally reached .17ppm.

 

[Mal11224]

I can't seem to detect any phosphates in my tank. Always seems to be zero. I have a fuge with miracle mud and macro algae. I also use a fluval sp4 on max flow. Wonder if that has anything to do with it. Never had an algae issue. My water has about 47 tds prior to conversion to ro/di. I have a small clean up crew for this reason. 3 snails, 2 shrimp and 2 conchs. 12 fish in all. Plenty of coral. Believe me, I'm glad that I am getting zero phosphates. Makes me feel like I'm doing something right . Just wonder about it. I've used Red Sea and Hanna to check and it is accurate. Nitrates are about 10-15 ppm.

 

[TbyZ]

I can't seem to detect any phosphates in my tank. Always seems to be zero. I have a fuge with miracle mud and macro algae. I also use a fluval sp4 on max flow. Wonder if that has anything to do with it. Never had an algae issue. My water has about 47 tds prior to conversion to ro/di. I have a small clean up crew for this reason. 3 snails, 2 shrimp and 2 conchs. 12 fish in all. Plenty of coral. Believe me, I'm glad that I am getting zero phosphates. Makes me feel like I'm doing something right . Just wonder about it. I've used Red Sea and Hanna to check and it is accurate. Nitrates are about 10-15 ppm.

I had PO4 at 3ppm & began using an algae scrubber. Like me, you would have traces of PO4 in your water, undectectable with a hobbie test kit. But everything you feed your fish has phosphate in it, which is necessary, & good, if you have controll of it.