Phosphate question

[lanochka]

Hi, everybody!
I've got a new problem with my water. It seems it will never stop. Guys at my LFS already laugh at me. (I quess I should stop doing everything by the book :

)
Now my phosphate level is off the chard. My other water parameters are perfect. 75 gal. light: 2 bulbs - 110 - VHO, white , 2 - 72 blue - VHO, protein skimmer works perfectly. I have no algae whatsoever, aquarium is crispy clear. Live rocks, san. I started to buy water at my LFS. I bought PhosBan. I do water change every 3 weeks. I starve my fish now (give them half of a cube a day, 5 fish).Nothing changed it for a bit. It is literally off the chard.
Should I do 50% water change? Won't it put my aquarium back to cycle? But something must constanly releasing it to the water?!
I appreciate any advise.
Lana.

 

[hkgar]

I use Rowaphos in a phosphate reactor and it keeps it right at zero. I would recommend a phosphate reactor as it will give you more surface area to remove the phosphates.

 

[reefnut]

I wouldn't do a 50% water change... it will not put your tank into a cycle. What it will do is hinder calcification and cause algae problems.
Some questions...
Are you testing the water or is the LFS?? what kit is being used.
Have you tested the LFS's water that you buy from them?? if not, test it yourself!! (this is probably the most important)
What 5 fish do you have??
That's all I can think of for now... these answers will give us a place to start.

 

[blazehok68]

what kind of substrate do you have??

 

[reefnut]

Originally Posted by BLAZEHOK68
what kind of substrate do you have??
I think sand... good question though!!
Originally Posted by Lanochka
Live rocks, san.

Lanochka, should this read "Live rocks, sand"??

 

[lanochka]

Thanks everybody, very much for your response!
ReefNut, thanks for your correction, Yes, I meant sand,...sorry... (I'm a queen of typos)
My LFS does all tests for me , I prefer to leave this for professionals, I guess I should start doing it myself.
hkgar: I have never heard about phosphate reactor. What is it?
I forgot to write that before buying PhosBan I had used PhosGuard, and the granules were supposed to change color (with absorbing phosphate), but they didn't and phosphate level stayed the same high, I don't understand. Do you think that LFS could do tests wrong? I never thought about it.
What test kit would you reccomend, ReefNut?

 

[yosemite sam]

Definitely test the water yourself. Don't let people who sell you stuff tell you everything is fine, make sure you know for yourself. A phosphate reactor is a small chamber that you put phosban or phosguard in. You pump water through it, which makes the phosban or whatever work more efficiently.
Salifert makes really good test kits. If your store doesn't have them, you can get them online too.

 

[hagfish]

I agree, test yourself before you start doing all kinds of things to fix this. Especially since you aren't having algae problems or anything.
What are the 5 fish you have. Just curious because you say you're starving your fish with a half a cube a day. I have 4 in my 72 and it probably takes me a week to go through half a cube of frozen food. I'm not sure I've ever fed half a cube at one time. But you may have bigger fish than me that require more food.

 

[reefnut]

Do you think that LFS could do tests wrong?
I wouldn't trust them to be accurate. The LFSs I've seen that test, use cheap and/or old kits. It's always best to test yourself and only use the LFS for second opinions. I REALLY think it would be in your best interest to test the LFSs water next time to see if that's where your phosphates are coming from.
What test kit would you recommend, ReefNut?
Salifert are about the best IMO. Here's a link to a Salifert Phosphate Test Kit

 

[lanochka]

Thanks you all!!! I will follow your advise and do tests tomorrow.
About starving my fish.. I am not sure if we are talking about the same cubes, HagFish. I mean small standard cubes of frozen shrimps, etc. I used to give them the whole one and everything was gone within a minute (at that time I had my naughty pink damsel that grew 5 inches)
Now I have: 1 blue tang (I know..

)
1 blue damsel (couldn't catch it after the cycling)
1 flameback angel
2 orangestripped maroons

 

[hkgar]

PhosBan Reactor 150
* Maximizes chemical filter media efficiency
* Convenient in-line or hang-on installation
* Effective for aquariums up to 150 gallons
Two Little FishiesMaximize chemical filtration utilizing the up-flow principle. Water is pushed from the bottom upward through the dispersion plate to gently fluidize chemical filter media. Evenly distributes water through reactor and increases surface area contact to achieve the most efficient use of PhosBan or other chemical filter media. Includes barbed hose connections for 1/2" ID tubing and ball valve to optimize flow rate. Appropriate size pump, tubing, and media required (not included).
Treats up to 150 gallons. Media capacity between 150 grams and 200 grams. Maximum recommended flow rate: 80 gph for 150 grams of PhosBan, 90 gph for 200 grams. 4-1/2" x 4" x 17-1/2" H.
Please click on "More Information" for maintenance instructions.
It is currently on sale a a drs site for about $32
They (this board) won't let me post the site. im or pm me

 

[hkgar]

here is a picture

 

[reefnut]

Although I am all for using PhosBan or ROWAphos... you also need to find and minimize the source. Using phosphate removers to cover up a problems is not the way to go... using them to eliminate the phosphates that naturally and uncontrollably enter our systems is fine.