Seachem Matrix and Phosphates??

[Mark75]

I am battling low phosphates and can not figure out why!

Hanna ULR phosphorous checker reads 0 most of the time with an occasional 1 converting that to phosphate is 0.

I have 9 fish in a 50g cube; 4 Azure Damsels/3 Ignitus Anthias/ 1 Clown/ 1 Algae Blenny

I feed PE Mysis/Spirulina Loaded Brine/LRS Reef Frenzy/New Life Spectrum pellets

I have a small skimmer, SCA 301, that I have skimming really light and no macro algae.

My sump has a small section for a refuge, I filled this with 3lbs of seeded Matrix. The Matrix is the only thing I have done different with this tank so I am wondering if it could reduce phosphates?

My SPS are not doing well! They show very little polyp extension and no growth. A frag will make it several months in my tank with no growth and then slowly die, no RTN/STN just die?!?

Any thoughts?? I would rather find where my phosphates are going rather than dose but at this point I am up for anything.

 

[Diesel]

What's your No3?
With no nutrients you starve your corals slowly, we all know that.
Maybe reduce the matrix.
How much do you feed?

 

[Downbeach]

Are you sure of your testing procedure, i.e. 3 minute timer after you've added/mixed the reagent? There is a demo video here:

http://hannainst.com/hi736-phosphorus-ulr.html

 

[Mark75]

Nitrates are 2ppm,...I was dosing stump remover 3 months ago but stopped due to my phosphates bottoming out.

I feed 1/4 cube Mysis and 1/4 cube brine shrimp each day in two doses. I also feed a pinch of pellets once daily. I also feed reef chili twice a week.

My test results are repeatable and I have been using the Hanna meter for a while, I am confident in my test results.

 

[Macdaddynick1]

I have the same problem with running seachem pond matrix no3 is at 0-2 and po4 0. What solved my problem was oyster feast and an occasional kno3 . I started feeding daily and PE came back + po4 is at .03 now .

 

[Mark75]

I have the same problem with running seachem pond matrix no3 is at 0-2 and po4 0. What solved my problem was oyster feast and an occasional kno3 . I started feeding daily and PE came back + po4 is at .03 now .

Did you remove the Matrix?

 

[Macdaddynick1]

Did you remove the Matrix?

No , just more feeding , It's good to have a strong bio filter, otherwise you'd be struggling to keep po4 down. Try turning off your skimmer for a day or two. That, plus the feeding should help raise your parameters a bit