Phosphates.. Okay Or Too High?

[AK77]

Hi all,

Well it looks like the chaetomorpha is doing the job. The nitrate I was struggling to keep below 20ppm are now non existent. I picked up a phospate test as I still have no damn coralline algae growth after months now.

The PO4 came back at 0.75 ppm. Is that too high ... high enough to inhibit coralline algae growth?

Thanks,

AK77

 

[Musho3210]

do you know calcium and magnesium levels?

 

[AK77]

I can do a calcium test tomorrow. I dont have a magnesium test though.

 

[SkiFletch]

Yes. Inhibition of calcification begins at 0.03ppm and climbs as phosphate concentration climbs... However with poor calc/alk/mg balance even 0 phosphates won't help

 

[AK77]

Ouch! Really?? Well mine was 0.75 so will have to do some bigger water changes I think.

The Calcium came back at 480ppm and PH at 8.2

 

[SkiFletch]

Note, lowering phosphates with water changes is VERY difficult. In order to achieve low phosphates you usually have to cultivate macro algae, skim, run GFO phosphate removers, or combinations of the above.

 

[Musho3210]

GFO is generic ferric oxide right?

 

[AK77]

Hi Ski

I've got 5 big clumps of chaetomorpha algae growing in the tank/sump. I also run the Prism protein skimmer. I might have to get some rowaphos or something. I wanna get all my water parameters correct before I start adding corals.

 

[Musho3210]

is the chaeto growing? Are you giving it light? Is the prism skimmer even skimming at all?

 

[AK77]

Yup the chaeto is growing well. Its under 2 x 150w MH lighting. The skimmer is skimming yes. It stank to high heaven when I emptied it last week lol.

 

[Musho3210]

hmm what food do you feed your fish? Some foods contain higher amounts of phosphates than other foods do. Also what salt mix do you use?

 

[AK77]

I use king british flake food and a variety of frozen foods. Thinking about it, I have been running active carbon for a few weeks which I know can cause phosphates to be released into the water.

I'll pick up some phosban or renaphos next time Im over the LFS having a perve at the girls.

 

[adam.crouch]

I use king british flake food and a variety of frozen foods. Thinking about it, I have been running active carbon for a few weeks which I know can cause phosphates to be released into the water.

I'll pick up some phosban or renaphos next time Im over the LFS having a perve at the girls.

Check the levels of ur RO water before you put it in the tank.... this may contain phospahtes if the filters are gettin old

 

[AK77]

Luckily my RO unit is only a few weeks old now and doesnt receive that much use, so it should be good for a long while yet.

I'll get some rowaphos and some more macro algaes too I think. Got enough of the sodding micros to be getting on with lol.