phosphates and nitrates high

[tzetze]

our phosphates and nitrates are slightly elevated.....we have been using phos-zorb, but it is not bringing the phosphates down (this has been going on for about 3 weeks - water change didn't help either).....nitrates just had a little spike this weekend....last weekend levels were perfect.....all other properties are fine...any ideas on either problem,,,,peppermint shrimp died this morning <img src="graemlins//dead.gif" border="0" alt="[dead]" />

 

[david s]

the phosphates tell me its either in your top off water or maybe fish food are you useing ro/di water and do you use flake food and are you over feeding ??

 

[tzetze]

we are using deionized water from culligan...bought specifically for the dog and water changes....spoiled pets....as for feeding that is something we are trying to sort out due to our manderin goby who has taken to only eating blood worms, and sticks his nose up to the brine shrimp since he has the worm as a special treat....unfortunately the shaving of the worm cube is not working well due to the worms not making it to the bottom for him as the rest of the crew enjoy this morsel as well more than the brine....we only feed frozen or live...no flake....the xenia gets a daily dose of reef solutions....

 

[david s]

i would test water before you do next topoff worth a shot if you arent doing the di those phosphates are coming from somewere and probubly a few trates too

 

[kris walker]

Do you have any physical signs of high phosphate like a major algae bloom? I'm wondering if your test kit is accurate. I have red sea and I think there is a 0.2 ppm bias in it. I get RO water from two different sources and they always test at 0.2 ppm according to the test kit, and I've never been able to get my phosphate down past 0.2 using phos-zorb.
kris

 

[tzetze]

we do have a slight increase of algea being seen...especially on the sand, our phosphate level has always been at .2....last week went to .5....we are going to check again tomorrow before our weekly venture to the lfs to scope out new rock

 

[puff(er) daddy]

Kris I thought it was just me. I have the same test kit and I haven't seen it go past .2 yet.
As for the phosphate, I used Seachem PhosGaurd it took me from 1.0 to .2 in one recommmened dosage.
You should try to find out where the source of the phosphate before you start using spounges.