Phosphates

[Duffer]

Ok folks,
So i consistently have phosphates anywhere from .03 to .12, i reduced them when they peak.

My question is what in your tank can cause phosphates to always push to go higher even after reducing them. I do weekly water changes of 10%

 

[Redfoxtang]

Mine is always food related. I only feed frozen so if I feed more I get more P04 if I feed less then I have less P04. But I have to find the in between also because I run a skimmer and a refugium and I do not want to bottom nutrients out as well!

 

[Duffer]

You may have just helped me, i was feeding my fish a couple of weeks ago ever other day, now i feed them ever day to keep my nitrates up...

 

[Redfoxtang]

You may have just helped me, i was feeding my fish a couple of weeks ago ever other day, now i feed them ever day to keep my nitrates up...

Yes right now I feed everyday but in lighter moderation. I want them to eat just cant over feed. I do also feed all the tangs nori on a clip and I believe this will add to P04. Well when the fish poo P04 is on the way up!

 

[Kdub Koral Guy]

Ok folks,
So i consistently have phosphates anywhere from .03 to .12, i reduced them when they peak.

My question is what in your tank can cause phosphates to always push to go higher even after reducing them. I do weekly water changes of 10%

Those Phosphate levels are ok. Mine got up to .26 at one point. It was mostly from Polyp Labs Polyb Booster. Just put in a bit of Phosguard and it was back to .05 next day. Detritus stuck in a certain area can also raise Phosphates

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok folks,
So i consistently have phosphates anywhere from .03 to .12, i reduced them when they peak.

My question is what in your tank can cause phosphates to always push to go higher even after reducing them. I do weekly water changes of 10%

Foods are a big, , and usually the primary source of, phosphate. Water changes aren’t very effective since much is bound to rock and sand.

 

[Duffer]

Foods are a big, , and usually the primary source of, phosphate. Water changes aren’t very effective since much is bound to rock and sand.

Thanks Randy, I do think that’s what was causing it, i since have gone to light feeding to see if that helps, problem ishave is low nitrates (3) so I may have to dose them down the road

 

[tfford]

Foods are a big, , and usually the primary source of, phosphate. Water changes aren’t very effective since much is bound to rock and sand.

Thanks for this info.

Just found this post as I had the same question. Was guessing it was food because for the most part my levels are normally pretty decent of late (0.02 - 0.05) but the other day fed some reef roids to the coral and when I checked later that day they were up to 0.09. I'm running "some" GFO but Phosphate-e seems to do the best job of getting them down quick.

I feed frozen only (so far) but I actually wash/rinse the food in fresh saltwater and strain it get try and get rid of as much of the yuck as possible. I do a bunch of cubes at once and after straining it, I put it between saran wrap and put it back in the freezer. Makes it easy to simply break off what I need for feeding, thaw in some saltwater and then let em have it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for this info.

Just found this post as I had the same question. Was guessing it was food because for the most part my levels are normally pretty decent of late (0.02 - 0.05) but the other day fed some reef roids to the coral and when I checked later that day they were up to 0.09. I'm running "some" GFO but Phosphate-e seems to do the best job of getting them down quick.

I feed frozen only (so far) but I actually wash/rinse the food in fresh saltwater and strain it get try and get rid of as much of the yuck as possible. I do a bunch of cubes at once and after straining it, I put it between saran wrap and put it back in the freezer. Makes it easy to simply break off what I need for feeding, thaw in some saltwater and then let em have it.

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.