Phosphate removal media question

[Imsosavvy]

So I finally purchased a phosphate testing kit the other day and discovered my levels are far too high. I tested at about 2 ppm. I know this is really bad and I cannot figure out what the culprit is the only thing I am suspecting is feeding my frozen foods(hikari, San Francisco brand, etc) without rinsing them really. The tank is a 28g nano with the built in sump in the back, my calcium is 460. Mag and alk I don't know because I couldn't afford those test kits but I'm assuming they're ok because I have coral alive and thriving in my tank. All except one candy cane which is what prompted me to test for phosphates. My true question is I bought the phosphate removal media but don't have money to buy the reactor, I only have a nano skimmer and fluval U2 internal filter in my tank, from what I understand the phosphate removal stuff has to have water pumped through it forcefully right? Or would I be able to put the media in the mesh bag that came with it and throw that in my sump and have it work? I'm confused on the whole mechanics of the product basically and want to know if anyone has had a similar issue and worked it out without a reactor( and water changes of course, I am thorough with maintenance and do a water change every 5-7 days religiously)
Thank you in advance sorry for long post, -Jeremy

 

[cmaxwell39]

The best way to run any GFO type of product is in a reactor, but you can put it in the mesh bag in your sump. I would put it somewhere in the sump where it is going to have a lot of water flow across it.

One other thing to try to help get rid of your phosphates is to make sure that you do not have excessive detritus buildup in your rocks. Next time you do a water change take a turkey baster and blow your rocks out. Good luck.


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[Mike J.]

I know what it's like to have a saltwater tank on a budget. You could view the videos that Bulk Reef Supply or Drs. Foster and Smith or Marine Depot have made on the subject to get a better understanding. You could also wait till you do save up a little money (they don't cost a lot). Like you said, you're doing pretty good. I'd concentrate on detritus removal in the mean time. Macro algae can also reduce your phosphates.

 

[mike007]

Are you using ro/di water?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Running the GFO in a puch is kinda like running carbon in your system, just make sure its in a high flow area. Where water has to flow through it and not around it.

 

[Imsosavvy]

Are you using ro/di water?

Yes they have a reverse osmosis system at petco and I just buy the marine water they mix themselves and just throw in a big tank, it's actually cheaper by 10 cents than my local small fish stores

 

[Imsosavvy]

I know what it's like to have a saltwater tank on a budget. You could view the videos that Bulk Reef Supply or Drs. Foster and Smith or Marine Depot have made on the subject to get a better understanding. You could also wait till you do save up a little money (they don't cost a lot). Like you said, you're doing pretty good. I'd concentrate on detritus removal in the mean time. Macro algae can also reduce your phosphates.

I'm glad you understand what it's like, definitely reef keeping on a budget over here, but I do my best and read an extensive amount and I think it makes up for my lack of funds. I will give a look at the fosters and smith articles on the phosphates and detritus, thank you very much.

 

[Imsosavvy]

Running the GFO in a puch is kinda like running carbon in your system, just make sure its in a high flow area. Where water has to flow through it and not around it.

The best way to run any GFO type of product is in a reactor, but you can put it in the mesh bag in your sump. I would put it somewhere in the sump where it is going to have a lot of water flow across it.

One other thing to try to help get rid of your phosphates is to make sure that you do not have excessive detritus buildup in your rocks. Next time you do a water change take a turkey baster and blow your rocks out. Good luck.


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After seeing this post initially it was like an aha moment, I believe this probably is the case because I just recently purchased a cleanup Crew that could finally survive in my tank(because of my Picasso trigger, he is mean) and up until one week ago I did have on specific piece of live rock, in a lower flow area o the tank, that had an exponential amount of detritus it was like there was brown sugar all over the rock! My 3 Red Mexican hermit crabs got it under control literally in days. I'm going to test again today and ill let you guys know if its gone down at all. I sincerely appreciate the responses tho thank u very much, I'm gonna try that bag in my tank near my skimmer where there's some flow if levels haven't subsided.

 

[mike007]

Test the water for phosphates before you put it into tank. See if it shows any. Some times even using a ro there is still phos. Present.

 

[Imsosavvy]

Test the water for phosphates before you put it into tank. See if it shows any. Some times even using a ro there is still phos. Present.

K I'm gonn test right now I just wanted to wait like 30 after feeding so the sample wouldn't be tainted but ill tell you in about 5-10 what reading I get today mike

 

[Rikerbear]

PM'd you with the plans for the DIY reactor I built....cheap :smile:

 

[Imsosavvy]

PM'd you with the plans for the DIY reactor I built....cheap :smile:

Thank you man, I will check that out right now. I just tested again and my levels haven't moved a smidgen even though I or the clean up crew and have been feeding a lot less. Still stuck at about 2ppm. And I did a water change 2 days ago. I'm gonna throw this phosphate remover in the meh bag and toss it in my tank for now and check out that DIY reactor, thank you riker

 

[Rikerbear]

Thank you man, I will check that out right now. I just tested again and my levels haven't moved a smidgen even though I or the clean up crew and have been feeding a lot less. Still stuck at about 2ppm. And I did a water change 2 days ago. I'm gonna throw this phosphate remover in the meh bag and toss it in my tank for now and check out that DIY reactor, thank you riker

If you can clip the mesh bag to a algae clip so it if off the bottom and more free floating....better water movement through it that way...if you can somewhere near the intake for the return pump so it gets the best water movement possible.
Oh, and you're welcome :tongue:

 

[Imsosavvy]

If you can clip the mesh bag to a algae clip so it if off the bottom and more free floating....better water movement through it that way...if you can somewhere near the intake for the return pump so it gets the best water movement possible.
Oh, and you're welcome :tongue:

That's crazy man you read my mind, lol. I hooked up these suction cups that have hooks connected to them into the mesh bag and then suctioned it right there by the intake near the return pump like you said so its near the top where there is the most flow and it is free floating. Thank you for all the information and advice, I made something happen that might work from something that I had chalked up as a loss. Much appreciated.

 

[Rikerbear]

That's crazy man you read my mind, lol. I hooked up these suction cups that have hooks connected to them into the mesh bag and then suctioned it right there by the intake near the return pump like you said so its near the top where there is the most flow and it is free floating. Thank you for all the information and advice, I made something happen that might work from something that I had chalked up as a loss. Much appreciated.

Cool! Hope it works for ya :tongue:

 

[Imsosavvy]

Test the water for phosphates before you put it into tank. See if it shows any. Some times even using a ro there is still phos. Present.

Wow, I completely misread and understood this haha. I see what you are saying now, test the water from my refill jugs that is clean, before it enters the tank. Got it, sorry for being a yard lol, thanks.