PO4 output from reactor high

[cyberCoder]

Hi

I have been seeing SPS browning out issues in my 10 months 50 Gallon tank. I have checked the lights PAR ( T5 with ATI bulbs ) using Seneye and they are in an acceptable range ( 200 - 400 depends on the corals and height ).

It leads me to keep monitoring Nitrate and PO4. My tank has been having low Nitrate ( about 0.5-1) because I have only two fishes and 6 snails at this point.

I am using a AquaMaxx Compact reactor with RowaPhos , and I am using two tablespoons. I changed them last night and found out this morning that the output of the reactor already has about 0.1 PO4.

I am quite puzzled

- Do I have that much PO4 that one night the media is already exhausted ?

- Is that because of Nitrate so low that PO4 won't come down ?

- My reactor setup is wrong ? ( I am connecting to the return line with a valve )

I am not necessary trying to just chase numbers but found this is quite confusing.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

PO4 reducers like GFO and RowaPhos can be depleted very quickly with elevated levels. I would replace it and possibly increase the amount.

 

[cyberCoder]

I am going to replace it. Is it true that if I dial the input valve slow enough, the output PO4 should be 0? If not, then it's probably the amount too small or the flow too high?

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

I am going to replace it. Is it true that if I dial the input valve slow enough, the output PO4 should be 0? If not, then it's probably the amount too small or the flow too high?

Yes, the output from your reactor should be 0 when running properly.