What does high phosphates do?

[finland]

I was just wondering, besides causing algae blooms, what damage do high phosphates do. I have only read that it will cause algae blooms, and that indirectly, algae can cause problems in a reef. I want to know if phosphates directly damage or poison corals or inverts and how? I do not have a phosphate problem at all, but was just curious. If anyone knows I'd appreciate input. Thanks

 

[dundar]

This is taken almost strait from the book The Modern Reef Aquarium:
Phosphates promote mircoalgae and hair algae and are best kept well below 1 ppm. they are fairly toxic to some inverts as well, and inhibit coral growth.
I hope that helps.

 

[krishj39]

well, everything is poisonous at high enough levels. (maybe not water, although people can get sick from too much water). anyway, as far as i know the only problem is the algae, but would be poisonous as anything would be if the levels were high enough. sorry, i guess this isn't too insiteful.
edit: oh, well there you go, they are harmful directly, not just by causing algae. thanks. sorry. good to know.