Phosphate Levels?

[marsilly]

Running a phosguard bag in the filter. Have a hard time keeping the phos levels down if I don't keep it in there all the time. What would make the phos levels go up and will I have to run the guard all the time?
Other levels:
Ph 8.0-8.2
Nitrte 0
Nitrite 0
Amm .25-.50
Phos. now at .5
Thanks

 

[saltyguy]

Do you use RO/DI water for topoff and water changes? Tap water is usually high in phosphates, also certain foods like frozen shrimp can be high in phosphates.

 

[snailheave]

yeah tap water is a source, probably the biggest one.
i had .5 or more phosphate coz i used tap water (the kit only tested up to .5) though the algaes are in check but i knew it wasn't good.
so i set up a refugium, i did weekly 10% water change and daily top-off with R/O water, and I put a bag of phosban in a refugium chamber where water must go through. it's been 3 weeks and my phosphate reading is at 0.2 ish.

 

[marsilly]

That's probably the answer. I asked a guy at fish store in Cheyenne(closest salt water) and he didn't even say anything about that. I went to him and asked why my snail were all dying, cause levels were O.K. He did say to test the phos. I bought a kit. Thanks all.