Phosphates

[shaggyblz]

I have never had a problem with nitrates, nitrites, or phosphates until now. I have been reading that making your own frozen foods is better for your fish and the rest of the tank. I decided to try. I used tilapia, crab, shrimp, clams (all was raw), and a little fresh garlic. I don't feed more than they can eat in about 3 minutes. In the past 2 weeks my phosphate level has shot up to .75-1.0(in the process of a water change and have added a phosphate reducer to my media canister). I thought frozen foods were suppose to produce less phosphates. Where did I go wrong?

 

[vicegrip]

Sounds like more than likely feeding to much.
Do you feed more than 3 times a week?
It could be the canister needs to be cleaned out good.

 

[shaggyblz]

I feed once a day. After the water change and addition of phosphate remover, phosphates have dropped to .25. I would like to see it drop back to 0. I have also only been feeding frozen brine and mysis.
I have been reading about Rod's fish and coral food. I would like to try it but I have to drive for about an hour to reach the closest LFS the carries it. Has anyone had any experience with this food?

 

[vicegrip]

I use Rod's. It is great food it feeds everthing from fish to coral to stars crabs shrimp and snails.
I would recommend cutting back on feeding to every other or every two days.
Fish can go a long time without eatting. The more you feed the more they poop.