Phosphate too high?

[PinkSango]

Hi everyone, I gave my coral reef roids and tested for phosphate next day and it's really high!!! Coral wasn't looking too great this morning, but I did a 25% water change and cleaned all of my filter media, my coral looks better, but now my clownfish who was fine before is now just lying in the sand. I'm a little concerned. He usually doesn't do this. I tested my salinity, and it was a little high 1.027 or so. Any recommendations??? I'm super new to all this, I love my little clownfish and want him to be okay.

 

[Jekyl]

Clownfish issue likely isn't related to the things you listed. If you think there's an issue start a post in the disease forum with white light pics and video.

 

[PinkSango]

Clownfish issue likely isn't related to the things you listed. If you think there's an issue start a post in the disease forum with white light pics and video.

okay thank you, I just didn't know. I'll post a pic there and ask.

 

[Andreas' Reef]

what was the phosphate reading

 

[Jekyl]

Where are your parameters at btw?

 

[melonheadorion]

phosphate shouldnt affect the fish. but, if your salinity is high, that would be the first thing i would look to decrease. i would take little bits of water out at a time, and replace with non mixed water to get it to 1.025 ish. post the other parameters as well

 

[PinkSango]

Where are your parameters at btw?

My Nitrates are really low between 0-5ppm I tested yesterday (using API test kit. I know that isn't the best, but I ordered Salifert kits and they're on their way.)The coral was an impulse buy when I wasn't really all that prepared, and I'm kicking myself hard for it. I'm about to test Nitrate again now and KH, Phosphate, pH so I'll update this in a minute.

(My Orchid dottyback is not showing any weird signs or behavior. Just the clown)

 

[PinkSango]

okay

phosphate shouldnt affect the fish. but, if your salinity is high, that would be the first thing i would look to decrease. i would take little bits of water out at a time, and replace with non mixed water to get it to 1.025 ish. post the other parameters as well

will do!!! thanks

 

[PinkSango]

ok my KH is 214.8ppm (12dKH), pH 8.0, phosphate still says 0.25ppm I don't get it. Nitrate is like 5.0ppm. I also don't get that when I did a water change literally an hour ago??? :/

 

[Grumblez]

ok my KH is 214.8ppm (12dKH), pH 8.0, phosphate still says 0.25ppm I don't get it. Nitrate is like 5.0ppm. I also don't get that when I did a water change literally an hour ago??? :/

12 Is kind of high on DKH but I think if your using Instant Ocean thats what it mixes to. .25 Phosphate is very okay and to be expected in a young tank.

 

[Jekyl]

Have a HoB filter? Put a bag of chemipure elite in there. Those parameters aren't related to your fish issue though.

 

[Garf]

Clownfish can be very odd. He might be going for a kip.

 

[PinkSango]

Have a HoB filter? Put a bag of chemipure elite in there. Those parameters aren't related to your fish issue though.

I dont have an HoB filter, I have a fluval evo 13.5 with the filter compartments attached. What does the chemipure do?

 

[PinkSango]

12 Is kind of high on DKH but I think if your using Instant Ocean thats what it mixes to. .25 Phosphate is very okay and to be expected in a young tank.

Yes I'm using Instant Ocean reef salt.

 

[Jekyl]

I dont have an HoB filter, I have a fluval evo 13.5 with the filter compartments attached. What does the chemipure do?

The chemipure elite will bring your phosphate down.