Big Phosphate Problem

imclownfish

Member
Hello,
I had a mega phosphate problem, 3ppm, i am currently trying to decrease the phosphates urgently because of the corals i have in my tank which are not doing that good. What media do you suggest to use to remove the phosphates? I have already tried 2 littles fishies phosban, which did not work at all.
Thanks
 

flower

Well-Known Member

You really need to find out where the phosphates are coming from. I have used Phosphate-E and Phosbuster Pro both work very well, be sure to follow the directions exactly.
 

scsinet

Active Member
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3297405

You really need to find out where the phosphates are coming from. I have used Phosphate-E and Phosbuster Pro both work very well, be sure to follow the directions exactly.
Absolutely.
Phosphates are that high because they were introduced. I don't know how big your tank is, but removing that much phosphate with absorbing medias can be an expensive proposition. Generally, phosphates come from one of three places... water, salt, or food.
Do you mix your own seawater? If so, do a phosphate test on the water before you add salt and after. If both of these are reading 0/underscale, then it's likely your food. Do a large water change (50% or so) and reduce feedings, and post what kind of food you are using so we can weigh in on that.
If you buy seawater from an LFS, test that. If you get measurable phosphates, demand that the LFS fix it or find a new LFS.
No matter how you get water, if you find out it's in the water or salt, you need to fix that asap, because you'll just keep dumping money into phosphate removal products. If it's your food, you may need to feed less or use a different, higher quality food.
 

scrapman

Member
Originally Posted by SCSInet
http:///forum/post/3297407
Absolutely.
Phosphates are that high because they were introduced. I don't know how big your tank is, but removing that much phosphate with absorbing medias can be an expensive proposition. Generally, phosphates come from one of three places... water, salt, or food.
Do you mix your own seawater? If so, do a phosphate test on the water before you add salt and after. If both of these are reading 0/underscale, then it's likely your food. Do a large water change (50% or so) and reduce feedings, and post what kind of food you are using so we can weigh in on that.
If you buy seawater from an LFS, test that. If you get measurable phosphates, demand that the LFS fix it or find a new LFS.
No matter how you get water, if you find out it's in the water or salt, you need to fix that asap, because you'll just keep dumping money into phosphate removal products. If it's your food, you may need to feed less or use a different, higher quality food.

GREAT ANSWER SCSInet
thanks
 

imclownfish

Member
Absolutely.
Phosphates are that high because they were introduced. I don't know how big your tank is, but removing that much phosphate with absorbing medias can be an expensive proposition. Generally, phosphates come from one of three places... water, salt, or food.
Do you mix your own seawater? If so, do a phosphate test on the water before you add salt and after. If both of these are reading 0/underscale, then it's likely your food. Do a large water change (50% or so) and reduce feedings, and post what kind of food you are using so we can weigh in on that.
If you buy seawater from an LFS, test that. If you get measurable phosphates, demand that the LFS fix it or find a new LFS.
No matter how you get water, if you find out it's in the water or salt, you need to fix that asap, because you'll just keep dumping money into phosphate removal products. If it's your food, you may need to feed less or use a different, higher quality food.
Thanks guys, that's what i thought at first. I asked my LFS about phosphates coming from my salt and food, they said it is not possible. I do mix my own saaltwater and I use H20 Life frozen, Hikari frozen and New Life Spectrum pellets. I have cut back on feeding tons and feed very little. I will definetly check everything for phosphates and find the source. Thanks again.
**btw i use red sea salt
 

flower

Well-Known Member

Rinse your frozen foods in RO water after you thaw it out, I had high phosphates and Meowzer told me to use a fishnet and do that...boy did it make a difference.
 

scsinet

Active Member
Originally Posted by imclownfish
http:///forum/post/3297466
I asked my LFS about phosphates coming from my salt and food, they said it is not possible.
HAHAHAHAH where then do they propose it's coming from?

It is technically possible that it's coming from somewhere else, but the idea that it's "not possible" that it's coming from the water, salt, or food is simply wrong.
 

imclownfish

Member
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3297505

Rinse your frozen foods in RO water after you thaw it out, I had high phosphates and Meowzer told me to use a fishnet and do that...boy did it make a difference.
thanks flower, i will try that
Originally Posted by SCSInet

http:///forum/post/3297592
HAHAHAHAH where then do they propose it's coming from?

It is technically possible that it's coming from somewhere else, but the idea that it's "not possible" that it's coming from the water, salt, or food is simply wrong.
Lol good thing i checked here with you guys first. I would have been buying phosphate removal media very often. Thanks
 

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
you hae measureable phosphates simply because your phosphate consumers are not keeping up with the phoshphate producers.
Macro algaes are the most significant consumers so if you increase your macro algaes the phosphate levels will go down.
my .02
 
Top