PO4 bottomed out

[Scubasteve11]

I recently added a DIY Chaeto reactor to my 30 gallon AIO. I feed fairly heavy and the tank is only 8mo and I've had some GHA issues recently and thought I would give the reactor a shot - I tried GFO a while ago but was not a big fan.

I tested my phosphates before turning the reactor on and was around 0.16 and then fast forward two days later and my phosphates are reading 0 on a Hanna ULR and RedSea test kit.

Two questions...
1...Is it even possible the algae reactor is that effecient? I've literally only had the lights on in the reactor for maybe 12 hours total.

2...should I be worried? I keep stumbling on Dino posts and DO NOT want to go down that path...

 

[SeaDweller]

maybe, or the GHA is utilizing the PO4 quickly and you're not able to get a true reading. Or your testing could be off, test again.

 

[Scubasteve11]

Thanks for the response. It's honestly not that much GHA but something to consider. Being new to this hobby, I test the basics pretty consistently and have never been anywhere close 0. Will definitely test again tomorrow to see where it's at.

 

[PigFarmer]

had u been testing po4 previously or was their only one po4 test performed prior to adding the reactor? Impossible that it could strip it down in 2 days imo... if only 1 test was done previously I'd guess that 1 test was a failed test for 1 reason or another? how much cheato did u load into the reactor to start?

 

[Scubasteve11]

I've tested phosphates 3 times within the last month.

I purchased a cup of Chaeto to start with.

.16 9/20
.09 10/6
.16 10/16

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I doubt there’s a big problem, but reducing the lighting on the algae should allow phosphate to rise.