Phosphates Down to 0 - Should I dose P04?

chrishet · Sep 7, 2020

I am currently battling GHA, perhaps Bryopsis , with Reef Flux and Vibrant. I have also been slowly reducing my N's and P's using NOPOX and GFO. I got my nitrates down to 2ppm which seems fine however my phosphates have dropped to 0 (Hanna). I've taken the GFO offline. I have a pretty bad outbreak of GHA so I am guessing the algae is taking up most of my phosphates but I am concerned to have my phosphates down to 0 and the impact that would have on my corals (mostly SPS but I have some nice Zoa's and a few LPS as well). Should I dose P04 to get my P's up a little or let it ride while I battle the GHA? Thanks!

WIReefer · Sep 7, 2020

I would remove as much gha as possible and then test for PO4. And see what you get, water changes will help as well

chrishet · Sep 8, 2020

Good idea, Thx! I manually removed and tootbrush scrubbed a lot of the algae and my PO4 went up to .05. I restarted my GFO reactor. After 6 days of Ref Flux my algae is starting to turn white....good sign! I'm going to continue to test P/N every other day. I am also noticing an increase in my Alk/Ca levels which, to me, appears to be the result of a slower intake of these elements by my corals...most likely from the Reef Flux. I have adjusted dosing to keep my Ca/Alk params stable. I am going to hold off any water changes till my Reef Flux regime is complete but I am changing filter socks daily. Thx

chrishet · Sep 8, 2020

Here is a pick of my GHA. I am thinking Bryopsys at this point as there are a few fern-like branches...not a lot but perhaps they are the first to die off after starting treatment.

chrishet · Sep 14, 2020

Update....I am about half way through my Reef Flux treatment and my algae is 90% gone! I'm a believer! My nitrates are at 2ppm and my phosphates are at .04. Corals and livestock are all looking good. I have been feeding as normal. I did not change my lighting schedule but I did drop my red/green channels to 0 for 2 weeks, however I am returning these back to normal now. My Alk has been dropping quite a bit this week, assuming uptake from corals, I am adjusting as needed.