why do i have phosphates!??!?!?!

[peckhead]

i rarely test my phosphates because i feel that the test is hard to read. If I am reading it correctly then i have a phosphate level of 2ppm, maybe a little less. I am using a API test for phosphates. i just tested my nitrates with red sea and salfert and both had a reading of 0. My chaeto grows like wild fire, I feed 2-3times a week mysis, dt's, cyclopeez(frozen) and algae sheets. Not 2-3 times a week of each thing but 2-3times a week total feedings. I have 2 fish, 1 clown and 1 tomini tang. This is a 90gal tank with 30 gal fuge. i use ro water with 0 tds and instant ocean salt. any help? i have a phosban reactor that i am currently running chemipure in.
Any ideas to bring these down to 0? im going to see what other phosphate test kits i have at work to maybe varify but i have some some algae in my overflow, sand, and back wall. Is there something that is really good to run in my phosban reactor that will bring my phos to 0 and keep them there? GFO, ROWA, Phosban?????
thanks

 

[peckhead]

also, could the DT's be creating this problem? am i feeding it to my tank when it is not necessary? The corals i have are zoo's, frogspawn, toad stool, open brain, acropora, orange monti cap and 2 different lps tree type corals that i am not sure what they are(not colt i dont think)

 

[earlybird]

Check your RO water for phosphates. There are products that will remove phosphates. I'd also try a different phosphate test kit.

 

[peckhead]

should i be feeding dts with the corals that i have? i also have a sun coral. i will check my ro for phosphates. The only thing i can think is that the dts is what is giving me phosphates

 

[teen]

rinse/drain the mysis. dont bother with p04 test kits. unless you have a colorimeter, you wont get an accurate reading.
do you run DI resin? and how long since you've changed out the media in the reactor?

 

[swalchemist]

Use fresh RO/DI use Hikari mysys (already rinsed) and run a bit of phos remover in your phos reactor, run a bigger skimmer or clean the current one more. Also do water changes on scheduel and do not over feed. Sun coral needs to be fed daily I am guessing this is where the problem of over nutrients is from.

 

[b bauer]

over feeding with cyclopeez brought my phosphates up then came the hair algae

 

[peckhead]

i dont over feed with anything. so you guys think that my phos test isnt accurate? i change my ro filters regularly and i dont over feed anything and when i feed mysys i defrost on my tank water and then drain all the water out before i put the mysys in the tank

 

[big]

After reading your thread I went and tested mine. I had not checked phosphates in a long time. I too feed a good bit of DT's Cyclopeez and lots of Algae sheets too. (Lots of critters that need the stuff in my tank.) It made me think maybe mine where higher than they should be.......... Well mine are still "zilch"...
So the DT's etc may not be the cause of yours being elevated. Maybe that cause is something else?... Good Luck........... Warren

 

[peckhead]

big, what test kit are you using
and everyone else....do the corals that i ahve need or like to be fed dt's?

 

[teen]

test kits available to hobbyiests arent that accurate. thats why i suggested using a colorimeter. you can send your water in to a lab and they could get you a better reading.
im lucky enough to be able to use one at my local reef club meetings.

 

[scarface]

Hey Peckhead, I too were having the same problem and couldnt understand it, but the DT is the root of it. As far as other products you can use, try to find the tropic marin phosphate elminator very excellent product. Change from IO to Tropic Marin pro not only will you get no phosphate from the salt (because i have tested and it shown that was another source of phosphate as compared to Tropic Marin and Ive been using IO for about 3 years) but your Magnisuem levels will get to where it needs to be w/o the use of buffers. Alos try to keep a weekly water change of anywhere between 5-10%. I had a reading of 1ppm for phosphates and 50 nitrates and once I did this my levels are .001ppm phos and <10 nitrates and its only been 3 weeks. Good luck oh and the test kits i use are Elos. Hope that Helps

 

[big]

Originally Posted by peckhead
big, what test kit are you using
and everyone else....do the corals that i ahve need or like to be fed dt's?

The one I have is the "Aquarium Pharmaceutcals". All my other kits are the Salifert ones. They reasons I feed the DT's and some of the other things I feed, is I have lots Dusters and 2 big Coco Worms too. Although the Worms need more than just DT's for the long term. But I have found most, not all of my corals could care less about feedings other tham good old lighting.