Struggling to get PO4 below 0.1

[Fisherman Joe]

Hi all.

I have a 600L aquarium (150g) with about 20 fish.

I feed one cube of frozen daily and have done for a while. My PO4 is stable around 0.14-0.18 but I would like it below 0.1.

I am using a refugium lighted 24-7 and also GFO and I use LaCl almost daily.

I worry if I stop feeding so much I might lose fish.

I never used to have this problem. What can I do?

 

[dvgyfresh]

What is yr nitrate reading ? I feed daily almost 2 cubes in 40gal and have phosphate at .04, also I would reduce yr refugium lighting to 12 hours opposite of DT- plants/macro algae do their most growing during the night that’s when they use the nutrients they’ve gathered- could be the issue due to macro amassing the nutrients but then having to rerelease back into water due to not being able to grow

 

[Fisherman Joe]

What is yr nitrate reading ? I feed daily almost 2 cubes in 40gal and have phosphate at .04, also I would reduce yr refugium lighting to 12 hours opposite of DT- plants/macro algae do their most growing during the night that’s when they use the nutrients they’ve gathered- could be the issue due to macro amassing the nutrients but then having to rerelease back into water due to not being able to grow

Thanks. I might try it. I used to have an opposite cycle.

NO3 around 5ppm.

 

[jeffchapok]

Why do you want to lower it? Don't chase after numbers -- focus on results instead. If everything is doing well otherwise, leave it alone.

My PO4 is consistently .5 with no problems.

 

[dvgyfresh]

Thanks. I might try it. I used to have an opposite cycle.

NO3 around 5ppm.

Oh nitrate is a little low , actually dosing neonitro could decrease phosphate , because it seems ye ratio is in favor of phosphate, for instance my nitrate is around 10-20ppm with my low phosphate

 

[Fisherman Joe]

Above 0.1 it can inhibit coral skeleton growth.

I am also having issues with green hair algae. Keep buying a foxface but they are all tiny at the minute and don’t last long.

 

[Fisherman Joe]

Oh nitrate is a little low , actually dosing neonitro could decrease phosphate , because it seems ye ratio is in favor of phosphate, for instance my nitrate is around 10-20ppm with my low phosphate

I’ve had my nitrate up around 20ppm and it was still the same.

 

[Dom]

It sounds like you have an unidentified Phosphate source. Is their an occasional use of freeze-dried or flake food?

What type of mechanical filtration do you have; filter sock? Filter pads? If not changed often enough, I understand they can contribute to phosphate numbers.

It certainly doesn't sound like you're over-feeding.

If you could post a full tank pic including your sump and refugium, we may be able to make suggestions based on seeing the actual tank.

 

[dvgyfresh]

I’ve had my nitrate up around 20ppm and it was still the same.

Through dosing or feeding? If feedin it’s giving both phosphate and nitrate , neonitro is only nitrate. But I would start with the refugium light change and see what that gives you

 

[Fisherman Joe]

Through dosing or feeding? If feedin it’s giving both phosphate and nitrate , neonitro is only nitrate. But I would start with the refugium light change and see what that gives you

I’m worried that lowering the photo period will lead to less growth. I mean people grow weed fast, and they have it light up 24-7 lol.

 

[Fisherman Joe]

That’s the tank. Will get one of the sump tomorrow.

 

[dvgyfresh]

I’m worried that lowering the photo period will lead to less growth. I mean people grow weed fast, and they have it light up 24-7 lol.

I actually grow weed to hahaha and even still there is a rest period - 18 hours of light allows it to maximize growth without budding , once big enough you change to 12 hours of light either way there is still a rest period

 

[dvgyfresh]

That’s the tank. Will get one of the sump tomorrow.

Tank is beautiful tho ! By looking at it it seems you don’t need changes

 

[Pistondog]

Is your chaeto growing? How often do you harvest?

 

[guylaga]

Tank is beautiful tho ! By looking at it it seems you don’t need changes

I agree, tank looks great several SPS colonies.

Dont mess with success.

 

[Fisherman Joe]

It looks good. Not great. Need the SPS to colour up.

I had GHA issues and took my refugium offline months ago. It’s been up and running a few months again.

Should I harvest?

 

[Fisherman Joe]

Current sump setup.

 

[dvgyfresh]

Current sump setup.

I would say harvest I just sold off 4 bags of mine lol yr macro has no more place to grow , it is probly just maintaining rn