Phosphates level.

[Krys]

Hello, can you post what are your typical phosphates levels of raw water (before RO\DI) and after.
I'm getting 0.59 on raw and 0.13 after RO\DI. I just replaced all filters on my 5 level RO\DI system and TDS reads 250 in and 0.00 out.
I'm testing phosphates with Hanna Checker.

This is driving me crazy cause I see my SPS corals not taking it well and short of adding GFO filtration to top off system and new salt water I don't know how to fix it.
BTW, I live in Florida and it looks like it just started few weeks ago... I never had this problem in 'winter' months. Is water getting that bad in summer months here?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Don't put too much faith in the checker.

Phosphate (PO4) and your RODI system - Reef Central Online Community

 

[dknuckles]

+1 on the checker!
Constantly here about there inaccuracy

I use the Hannah low range meter w/ consistent repeatable readings. A bit more expensive than the checker but well worth it in the long run !!

 

[Krys]

Thank you for your input but for the sake of the argument let's say my readings are correct. Does anyone check the water before and after RO\DI?
I'd like to know what are the levels other users are getting especially before RO|DI.
I red this article Water Resource Characterization DSS - Phosphorus and if my reading of 0.59 is correct, our Florida phosphates levels are way higher than typical standards.

And I won't be really surprised if they are correct since there are local news reporting unusual high algae blooms causes by Lake Okeechobee spills that are considered even harmful to humans.

 

[AZDesertRat]

There is no EPA maximum contaminant level for phosphates or total phosphorous in drinking water but the generally accepted recommended level is 5 mg/L from organizations like the World Health Organization. The report you referred to is phosphates in runoff to streams and lakes mostly due to agricultural fertilizers which contain phosphates.

Approximately 15 to 20% of the drinking water systems in the US add some form of phosphates to their treated water as a form of corrosion control in the water distribution system so they meet the EPA Lead and Copper Rule promulgated in 1991. Many try to maintain between 1 and 5 mg/L in the far reaches of their water systems to keep the pH up so lead and copper are not released due to corrosion.

 

[KSzegi]

I'm getting .35 before and .13 after - using a low range hanna phosphorus checker. Been driving me crazy too - water had previously tested at 0 out of the ro/di so I'm struggling with the same thing.

 

[-Logzor]

I'm getting .35 before and .13 after - using a low range hanna phosphorus checker. Been driving me crazy too - water had previously tested at 0 out of the ro/di so I'm struggling with the same thing.

Same issue I'm having. Hanna Checker and new filters...

 

[Krys]

Logzor where are you from? KSzegi confirms my suspicions about Florida water at this time of the year.

 

[KSzegi]

Logzor where are you from? KSzegi confirms my suspicions about Florida water at this time of the year.

Well, not really. I decided to test some fresh distilled water .... and got a result of .14. So, I ordered new reagents ..... just got done testing with those and now the ro/di water tests at .01, the distilled at 0.

 

[kes]

ideally, you want to keep your phosphates low, but not to absolute zero, as this will adversely affect some corals.