Phosphate Level

[delalaym]

Hello,

My tanks is 3 months old. My Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate levels are always at 0. My Calcium is at 420, the PH at 8.4 and the Carbonate Hardness at 12.
I do water changes every 2 weeks (about 15-20% each time).
I just bought a phosphate testing kit and it's at 0.5 ppm. Is it bad? I read it should be 0 but I am not sure how to lower it. Everything else seems very good...

Thanks!

[metalhead]

Hello,

My tanks is 3 months old. My Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate levels are always at 0. My Calcium is at 420, the PH at 8.4 and the Carbonate Hardness at 12.
I do water changes every 2 weeks (about 15-20% each time).
I just bought a phosphate testing kit and it's at 0.5 ppm. Is it bad? I read it should be 0 but I am not sure how to lower it. Everything else seems very good...

Thanks!

The best way to remove phosphate that I know of is through regular and frequent water changes... You might try doing 10-15% per week and see if that helps.

Some forms of activated carbon can also leach phosphate. If you're running carbon in your tank check the quality of the carbon and make sure it does not contain phosphates.

All that said 0.5ppm is probably an acceptable level (someone check me on this) though 0 would be better of course. Unless you're having problems related to phosphate accumulation (algae, sick corals, etc) I probably wouldn't sweat 0.5ppm too much.

How large is your tank? What type of filterration?

Your DKH may be a litttle high. I try to keep mine between 7 and 10, not sure if this is related to or can affect phosphate at all but that does seem a little high to me.

[delalaym]

It's a 75 gallons. I've got a canister filter with Reef Carbon (no Phosphate). and a Hang-on skimmer.

[Ninong]

Hi delalaym,




All of your numbers are fine with the exception of phosphate. It should be less than 0.03 ppm. You might consider running GFO (granular ferric oxide). Dr. Randy Holmes-Farley has written an article on this subject.

[metalhead]

It's a 75 gallons. I've got a canister filter with Reef Carbon (no Phosphate). and a Hang-on skimmer.

How often do you replace the carbon in the can?

[Doodaa]

Hi delalaym,




All of your numbers are fine with the exception of phosphate. It should be less than 0.03 ppm. You might consider running GFO (granular ferric oxide). Dr. Randy Holmes-Farley has written an article on this subject.

You can mix your carbon with GFO and run it in your canister filter if you like, or swap out every other time carbon then GFO. You don't need to buy another piece of equipment to run GFO.