[bongobrian]

As some of you know from my previous posts, I've been battling with a micro-algea problem. Well yesterday I think I found where the problem is coming from. I tested the phosphate in my tank water and it measured out very high.. almost 2.0ppm!! I was horrified. I tested my R/O water and it came out at 0.1ppm. Is that level ok for R/O water?? I just don't know how the phosphate in my tank got so high. I use all R/O and distilled water. I do not over feed. Can someone recommend a way to get rid of the phosphate? I've heard about poly-filters... wondering if that would be a good idea. I was thinking of getting an attachment for my aqua-clear 402 powerhead and running a polyfilter inside it. Would that be a good idea? how quickly do these remove the phosphate? I want to purchase something later today so if you read this post, please give me some feedback if you know anything about phosphate. Thanks!

[naser]

phosphates can come from alot of sources. like frozen foods or chemicals. try a phosphates sponge or somthing to that nature.

[bongobrian]

I don't feed frozen foods and the only chemical I really use other than iodine and calcium is reef DNA. Does anyone know if too much reef DNA would cause high phosphate levels?

[addicted2fish]

Brian,

I've used a zeolite phosphate remover with good results. I think it was called Fritz or something like that. It knocked the measured value by my test kit down from about 2 to less than .5, although I don't really have a lot of confidence in the numbers. After that I started adding kalk with my topoff water and now it is undetectable.

HTH,
Bill

[naser]

ive heard of people that use reef dna refer to it as alge in a bottle. so try to stop using that or test alittle of it.

[bongobrian]

Hmmmm I'd have to disagree with that. Everyone I've talked to loves the stuff (including myself). After I started using reef dna I never noticed any more or less algea growth than what I had before I was using it. Reef dna is also supposed to hinder growth of micro algea and promote growth of coraline. So far I'd have to say it lives up to this claim. It actually helps break down things such as nitrate as well. I purchased a can of kent phosphate sponge on Friday and used it all weekend. My phosphates have been cut in half already and I'm guessing it will be even lower when I test it today. I'm willing to bet that my high phosphates were the cause of my algea. The tank is looking better already and the green algea looks to be dying.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Here's an article on phosphate in reef tanks:

http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish/li...&RecordNo=2481

[naser]

what exactly does reef dna do? i mean ive seen it youve seen it. does the bottle say whats inside? nope just says magic in a bottle. trust me if i put some in my tank right now under my 20 mh lamps i would have an alge bloom.

[bongobrian]

So don't use it.. it's as simple as that. I like it and I'll continue using it. I guess we'll just have to see what my tank looks like after a while. Just like any good recipe, Mark Weiss never puts ingredients on his stuff because the stuff is basically awesome doesn't want it stolen. Reef DNA is designed for pigmentation and growth of coraline and also helps compete with problem algeas and breaks down nitrates.

[saltjunkie]

I have 3 bottles of marc weiss stuff, I do not use them, I acquired them.
I forget which ones they are, i will find out later.
2 bottles cost 19.99, 1 was 26.99
I pouured al 3 out in equal amount, and too my "surprise"(see the sarcasim in my typing)
They all 3 looked identical in color, texture, and lil chunks floating around in it....
I wouldnt buy his stuff, maybe i would try it, if he put reasonable prices on it, but he dont....
Rick

[bongobrian]

According to my calculation you wasted about $70 worth of excellent products. Wouldn't have been my course of action.

[naser]

just for fun test the reef dna for phosphates.

[bongobrian]

How can you do that? isn't the test designed only to test for phosphate concentrations in water? I have the red sea phosphate test.

[naser]

just mix alittle in some of your water and do a nitrate and phosphate test on it.

[Atkins]

I'm not sure if you guys can buy it over there but alot of Europeans now use this.....




If you check out this page and run it thru a translator it gives some specs and comments on it in use.

http://www.lars-sebralla.de/ma_rowaphos.html

[bongobrian]

I'm using the kent marine phosphate sponge currently, and so far it hasn't done a very good job of removing any significant amount of
PO4. Thanks for the recommendation Atkins!

Naser- I tested the reef dna last night and it doesn't contain any phosphate. I tested a small amount of spectra vital and that stuff did contain some phosphate.

[naser]

welp ive allways believed that if you feed your tank or fish in your tank the should have enough food for feather dusters and what not. i dont think youd need to also put some wonder sludge into your reef.. just my thoughts. and a big skimmer also works magic.

[bongobrian]

I completely agree and I think I'm going to reduce my dosage of the dna even though I don't think it is harmful. I don't even use the spectra vital anymore, I just tested it because I had suspicions of that stuff polluting my water with excessive nutrients. I just need to find a way to get rid of most of the phosphate in my water. The sponge doesn't seem to be doing a very good job. I'm considering starting a refugium. Maybe even one of those hang-on style refugiums. I stopped adding everything to my tank except for reef builder and calcium. I take the same approach as you naser, I think the less you can add to a tank chemical-wise, the better off you are.

[naser]

try phos-guard. i know i can buy all around here. its a container with tons of little white balls. put it in a filter bag and just set it in your sump. when i had the same i used it and it worked.

[bongobrian]

do you leave it in for long periods of time? or is it something you have to throw away after a day or two? the product I'm using right now can't be left in for very long or else it starts to leak phosphate back into the tank. It's impossible to tell when it has soaked up it's limit of phosphate. I don't like that aspect at all.