Where are my phosphates?

[J-Dog]

I have a weird problem that I need some help with. I've been having issues with my SPS color not being good. Lots of pieces were looking faded and pale, so I figured since my PO4 was always at 0.00, that I needed to raise it slightly, because my SPS was starving. I started dosing aminos and other foods, but my PO4 still stays at 0.00. After I dose, i'll test the water with my Hanna checker and usually get a reading of 0.01-0.06, but after a day the test is always back to 0.00. Does anyone know what is going on?

 

[Nano sapiens]

I have a weird problem that I need some help with. I've been having issues with my SPS color not being good. Lots of pieces were looking faded and pale, so I figured since my PO4 was always at 0.00, that I needed to raise it slightly, because my SPS was starving. I started dosing aminos and other foods, but my PO4 still stays at 0.00. After I dose, i'll test the water with my Hanna checker and usually get a reading of 0.01-0.06, but after a day the test is always back to 0.00. Does anyone know what is going on?

There are a number of places that phosphate can end up. Calcium carbonate substrate is a 'sink' for it as it binds it. Organisms in the tank incorporate it into their tissues. It can precipitate out in close proximity to a Kalkwasser drip. If in the water column, it can be reduced via frequent WCs.

Your test kit is limited since it can only test for 'inorganic phosphate' (PO4), but not organic phosphates. Simply increase feeding slowly and observe the coral coloration. If they color up nicely, then you are good, but if you start seeing nuisance algae, then you will need to adjust (exporting of phosphate more rigorously is generally preferable to a reduction in feeding).

 

[beaslbob]

additionally macro algae is a large phoshpate sink in aquariums.

 

[J-Dog]

That's the weird thing.....I only do a 10% water change once a month, I don't have any macro algae, I don't use kalk, and I haven't run my skimmer for over a month. And no matter how much of any additive I put in my tank, I get an initial PO4 spike, then the next day it's 0.00. oh: Has anyone even heard of a tank doing this?

 

[Eienna]

You may have a nice colony of bacteria taking care of it for you

You may want to feed your corals with an appropriate SPS food. I'm hearing AcroPower is helpful, too.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Believe me, more wish they had your problem. But as stated above. Keep up your feedings and watch em.

 

[turbo21]

Just wondering what you are you using to test for p04 Maybe a bad test kit or bad Hanna checker. Take some water to your lfs or to a friend and check with a different test kit to be sure

Bob

 

[Velodog2]

And you have virtually no problem algae?

 

[J-Dog]

And you have virtually no problem algae?

Sorry for the delayed response. I have absolutely no algae problems, and that's with me feeding the tank almost everyday. Like I said before, I dose to bring the phospates up, and by the next day, my phosphates are back to 0.00. I'm using a Hanna tester for testing.....just can't figure this out :frusty: