Phosphates

[debbers]

Hi Everyone,
It was suggested that I check my phosphates before I put in any corals, sponges, etc.
Well, I did, and they are high (about 1.5). What do I need to do to lower them and keep them low?
Also, what is a good range for them? Should they be at 0 like amm and trites?
Thanks,
~D~

 

[plum70rt]

0 is the best, they always appear from rock and life in the tank, 0.05 to 0.1 is ok, you can use a phosphate sponge, or I have been using salifert phosphate eliminator which added once a week lets the skimmer take out phosphates, works well so far

 

[dundar]

Over time phospates will be consumed by alage and other things in the tank but I also had that problemwith High Phospates (.5). I was told that you want to get them below .25. The way I set about that was to get some chemical phosphate sponges to set the tank level. I used PhosX but there are lots of diffrent types out there look around. I wouldn't keep using the chemical sponges after you brought the phosphates down but I would wait and test your water every week untill you were sure that the level was below .25. Then and only then would I get corals.

 

[striker]

Your ammonia and nitrite should always read zero after a tank has cycled unless you come across problems with death and decay. They can be extremely harmful to your inhabitants. Nitrates are always good to keep at zero but not always realistic. Fish and corals will tolerate low nitrate levels but if high they can also lead to disease and death. Phosphates aren't good because they will help unwanted algae spread out in your tank. They might eventually smother and kill some corals/sponges. The most common problem with high phosphates stem from water supply. It is always advisable to use ro water(test before using) or distilled bottled water for top-offs and water changes. Adding a refugium to your tank with caulpra(spelling?) will greatly reduce your phosphates and nitrates. Another solution would be to add something to your filter, sump or tank that would get rid of phosphates within a couple of days. I've never used this method because I don't always trust quick remedies but have heard it works. You can inquire about this at a lfs.

 

[debbers]

Plum,
I'm running skimmerless (for the time being). Will a protein skimmer reduce phosphates?
And for the phosphate sponges, where do you place them? Directly in the tank?
Using the salifert phosphate eliminator, do you need to run a skimmer with it?
Thanks,
~D~

 

[plum70rt]

What type of filtration do you use? Phosphate eliminator works with a skimmer , it a chemical that bonds phosphates together that allow it to be skimmed out like protein, There are many phosphate sponges on the market, you put it in place of your carbon for 3 or 4 days then remove it,

 

[debbers]

My filtration consists of my LR and a penguin biowheel. The filter pad in the biowheel chamber holds the activated carbon. Do you think one of those sponges would fit into the relatively small chamber?

 

[plum70rt]

I used Seachem phosguard to intially get down my phosphates, its a granular substance that you put in a filterbag then put in place of your carbon, for 4 days, I see you have a 29 gallon directions say use 1 cup for 75 gallons, so id a say 1/4 cup would be enough, in a small filter bag , would that fit in there?

 

[debbers]

Maybe... would it work if perhaps I put it in a small mesh-type bag or something? Hmmmmm....

 

[plum70rt]

exactly , actually you can place it anywhere you will get flow through it,

 

[debbers]

This just might work...
I can take the filter pad out (which is the "mechanical" and "chemical" filtration part of the biowheel system) and put in a little mesh bag of the phosguard.
Thanks for your help!!
~D~

 

[plum70rt]

Phosphates LOOK OUT!!, Your Welcome

 

[debbers]

Yeah, look out you... you... PHOSPHATES!!
BTW, Plum, how long do you think it will take for my phosphates to come down? And how do I KEEP them down??
~D~

 

[plum70rt]

after the 4 days with the phosguard,it should come down, you can do this a few times,reuseing the same stuff, its a never ending battle and its something you have to check once a week or so, overfeeding is one cause,

 

[debbers]

Ok, thanks again!
~D~