What is the problem?

[dindi]

I have a phosphate problem... My 75 gal is 2 yrs, my 20 and 10 gal are 1 yr, now I seem to have a phosphate problem. I use distilled water, checked it 0 PO4. I can't seem to keep it low. In my 75 i hooked up my fluval 404 with "Phospate sponge" my calurpa did not like that, it started to turn yellow can't have that, that's my filtration. I have PO4 readings identical at .25 in ALL my tanks. My question to those who know, will buffer additives add to the problem? It seems ironic that all 3 tanks have the same level and I use Seachem in all 3. I have a diatom bloom in my 75 with slimey red algea in my refugium, nasty stuff. My refugium has a 25 watt Jalli compact with 50/50 lighting on 24/7. My trates today are at .10 in all 3 tanks. 0 trites, amm. Same PH of 8.3 in all 3 tanks. Calicium in my 10 exceeds 420, (I suspect kent zoe for that since I feed baby brine to my mandarin) Otherwise 420 in my 75 and 20. Any help will much appreciated. Dang, it never ends...

 

[moorishidol]

I wouldnt add anything to the tank. However, the ultimate way to go is RO water. Pretty inexpensive if you look at what it will ultimately do for your tank. Bare bones is about 80 bucks or so. This is what I would recommend. If you have a biowheel, you can cut one of those filter pads( i think the green ones are phosphate) to fit in the place where you put your carbon bags. Anywhere the most water can filter through it. I use one in my wet/dry. I also would recommend a UV sterilizer. You can pick up the 9 watt, hang on the back double helix I think it is for 100.00 bucks from Fishgeeks.com or reefgeeks.com. Cant remember which. Works wonders. I just dont trust buffers because they may solve the issue at hand but can cause other problems somewhere else. The red slim can be done away with by adding Antired( of course here again your adding to the tank) Ive used it and I didnt have any problems except a little increase in PH. Its actually supposed to get rid of the red and add benificial bacteria to your tank.