Reducing phosphate levels

[CaptainK]

Hi All,
my 29G is almost done cycling.
Yesterday I tested for phosphates in the tank and it measure about 5ppm. I am using the Aquar. Pharm. TapWater Purifier w/ a brand new cartridge on it.
I know that the water from my tap does contain phosphates, but I have neglected to check the tank levels lately from my 10G. Guess I know why I have all of that hair algae now.
So I want to get this solved early w/ my 29G.
Can anyone recommend any phosphate removers? (Kent, Seachem, or other)
Do macroalgaes remove phosphate?
I know that a really good purification system would solve this problem, but I don't wat to get anything like that yet.
Thanks,
CaptK

[olgakurt]

I believe that a lot of the phosphate removers contain chemicals which seem to be hard on leather corals. So, if you go this route beware of the potential side effects.

I'd try to test the water from the purifier. cycling/decaying matter and food are both high in phosphates. You may be able to solve this with water changes.

Yes, macro algae can be used to export nutrients (both nitrogen and phosphorus)if you harvest it from the tank, but it is generally more effective at reducing N than P as defined by the ratio of the two in tissue.

[DukeDog]

I agree with olgakurt test the water coming out of the purifier. You need to find out where it is coming from or you'll have the problem for ever. Are you adding anything else to your tank?
Jeff

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whats up???

[Rin]

Originally posted by stang69:
As I understand it if you drip Kalk or Pickling lime the phosphates will precipate (sp) out.

Jeff

Are there any chemists out there who can explain the mechanism for this? In nature two compounds are commonly formed: CaP04 (Calcium Phosphate) and Ca5(OH)(PO4)3 (Hydroxyapatite) The former mostly found in bones and the latter found in teeth. Kalk and pickling lime is Ca(OH)2, right? I just can't see how the aquaeous solution can form the above mentioned compounds with phosphorous...unless you really have a serious excess of Ca and PO4 ions floating around.

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-Todd
'Only the corrupted can recognize true innocence for what it is.'

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Here are two articles, one by Craig that experimentally shows phosphate reduction with limewater, and a second by my that shows some ways that it might happen:
http://fpage1.ba.best.com/~cbingman/limephos.htm
http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish/li...&RecordNo=2481

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Randy Holmes-Farley

[stang69]

As I understand it if you drip Kalk or Pickling lime the phosphates will precipate (sp) out.

Jeff

[SPasse]

CaptainK,

Well I have used both “Phosphate Sponges” and products like X-Phosphate and never had any problems with leather corals.

But macro algae does indeed export phosphate. (and sulfates)

My system tests below the resolution of my Salifert test kit.

Regards,

Scott

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The definition of an expert is a washed-up drip under pressure.
You can see my reeftank at http://www.homestead.com/spasse/

[CaptainK]

Hi All,
I tested the water from my TapWater Purifier last night and had a reading of 0 ppm for phosphates.
I have not added anything to the tank water except for the salt mix to make the water and do small water changes with.
So I am now wondering, does the cycling process, or curing of LR, add phosphates to the water??
Thanks Again,
CaptK

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Curing of live rock definately adds phosphate. Any organism that dies will add phosphate.

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Randy Holmes-Farley

[seado]

Glad to hear that curing rock is a probable souce of PO4. So once the curing process is complete will the phosphates diminish without any other intervention? I am curing 150# live rock right now in my 120 gallon with 200# SD sand and found phosphates at 1.0, but at 0 in RO/DI. IN trying to figure this out, I had asked in another post about rinsing the skimmer cup in tap water as a potential source of phosphates, but did not get a response. I rinse in hot tap water then dry with paper towel, rather than rinse in cold RO/DI. Still wondering if this is a bad practice? Sorry for poking into this thread, but I have been looking for some answers to explain and resolve my phosphate findings as well. So appreciate any input here. Thanks!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

When the input of phosphate declines (with less organisms dieing) the phosphate levels should decline as other organsims (like algae) use it up.

However, it will still enter the tank through fish food, and it may have built up a significant amount of sand and rocks that will come off over time. So you might see the decline happen fairly slowly.

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Randy Holmes-Farley

[SPasse]

Seado,

I doubt very seriously that the small amount of water (drops) from rinsing you collection cup with tap water could have any impact on your overall phosphate levels.

Regards,

Scott