What is too much too fast? (Phosphate)

[Alyssalaurente]

Hello!

My phosphates are sitting a bit high, 0.14 ppm. I put phosguard (the pre-bagged one good for 60 gallons) in my filter sock. It’s been a couple hours and I tested again and got 0.12. I have a 43 gallon reefer 170 build. Knowing that the phosguard pack I am using is good for 60 gallons, will phosphate be removed too much too fast in my 43 gallon system? I was thinking of monitoring it frequently and removing the media when I see my desired numbers. I’ll also mention that I tried cutting the dose in half, but it didn’t seem to work as well, so I just tossed the whole bag in there this time. Any thoughts???

 

[Lasse]

PO4 should not be lowered to fast IMO. 0.14 is no catastrophe - if you want down to around 0-05 - I would let it take time 1 or 2 weeks.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Potatohead]

I wouldn't touch a thing, IMO .14 is just about ideal

 

[Alyssalaurente]

I wouldn't touch a thing, IMO .14 is just about ideal

Thanks for your response!

I think it was becoming a problem though because green hair algae was starting to grow and even killed off a few of my clove polyps that it was growing over. I’ve also read that any levels over 0.1 ppm start some algae issues and inhibit skeleton growth for corals. My corals were shriveling up as well, so I wanted to take some action to treat the issue. I also forgot to say that my tank is only a year old lol. I know phosphate and nitrate levels can vary depending on maturity of the person’s tank.

But anyways, after throwing the bag in there for a few hours now, a couple of my goniopora corals look happier and have longer polyps extending.

 

[Alyssalaurente]

PO4 should not be lowered to fast IMO. 0.14 is no catastrophe - if you want down to around 0-05 - I would let it take time 1 or 2 weeks.

Sincerely Lasse

Thanks for the advice! In terms of controlling the rate that phosphate is removed. Could I remove the phosguard bag and place it back in every other day? How exactly could I best reduce it that slow?