[Netto]

I have recently started up a marine tank with undergravel filter. 36 length * 18 high and 12 deep. i have rocks , good aeration, good skimmer.a few small fish and good water quality in general, but i have high levels of phosphate, although i have only just intorduced the skimmer within the last 48 hours, what is the best way of lowering phosphate levels in order to look at getting corals and inverts'

thanks to all replies

[Sueet]

Well, I'm a newbie myself, but I'm thinking you might want to check your tap water for phosphate levels (assuming you use tap water, that is.. source water if not), and if that is the source of the phosphate, you need to invest in a good r/o, or r/o-d/i unit.....
Another possible solution, or help (though probably not the best for reef), might be to get a canister type filter to run a phosphate sponge product in.... but the simple fact is, you need to determine the source of the phosphate before you worry about the solution. The skimmer should change the levels too, given some time, but again, the source needs to be known to be able to effectively combat the problem.

[Netto]

So taking that my supply water as i get it from the taps is of high phospate levels i would need a R/O unit what would u say is a good one for a tank that size and easy on the wallet, but am prepeared to spend money as i will need to do so. thanks

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by Netto

So taking that my supply water as i get it from the taps is of high phospate levels i would need a R/O unit what would u say is a good one for a tank that size and easy on the wallet, but am prepeared to spend money as i will need to do so. thanks

Honestly, I don't know that any one in particular is better than any other... The one I bought, I got off ebay, from a seller called FilterDirect, and I can't be happier with it, or with their service... I paid a lil over $150. but I also ordered extra filters since I didn't have to pay extra shipping by ordering them at the same time. This is the one I have: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=4309868125

BUT! There are many other options, YOU need to look over the available units, determine your needs, and purchase accordingly! Do NOT just go buy something cuz I.... or anyone else... told you to!

Other options include: smaller, less expensive r/o only units, or smaller ro/di units... you may not need 110 gallons per day capability! ..... You could also use bottled water for a small tank like you have... Future use is a thought too tho... are you going to fall in love with reefing and upgrade to a 100+ gal tank in 6 months? lol..... These are all things to consider.... but in the end, any option you choose will probably suffice...as long as it does deal with the actual 'problem' ... the presence of phosphates in the source water.

[Reefland]

Hi Netto, Welcome to Reefland!

Another option you might consider is the nightly drip of kalkwasser (calcium hydroxide). Dripping kalk is a very efficient way to maintain established calcium and alkalinity levels and has the added benefit of precipitating phosphate from the water. There are some threads very recently here discussing kalk, the benfits and proper dosing if your interested in researching that option.

Regards,

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by Netto

I have recently started up a marine tank with undergravel filter. 36 length * 18 high and 12 deep. i have rocks , good aeration, good skimmer.a few small fish and good water quality in general, but i have high levels of phosphate, although i have only just intorduced the skimmer within the last 48 hours, what is the best way of lowering phosphate levels in order to look at getting corals and inverts'

thanks to all replies

You might want to re-think the undergravel filter thing before you get too far along. Very few people, if any, set up undergravel filters for saltwater tanks anymore. There are other better ways to do things now.

There are various phosphate removal products that are available now to help lower your phosphate levels. Try one that is based on ferric oxide hydroxide. There are several different brands but I'm not sure which are available to you. This will help immediately.

Your tapwater may not be suitable for use without treatment (R.O./D.I. or simply R.O. or even just D.I.), so you may want to consider purchasing a filtration device. In the meantime, you could switch to store-bought distilled water or R.O. water since your tank is not all that large (33.6 US gal, 28 UK gal).

Here is what I would suggest:

• Make up a new batch of saltwater using distilled water. Allow this to sit for at least 24 hours before using it.

• Remove all of your live rocks and fish to separate temporary holding containers -- one for the fish and another for the live rock.

• Remove the undergravel filter completely and get rid of it.

• Decide now if you want to continue with crushed coral as your substrate. I vote for getting rid of it along with the UGF. Get yourself some of that expensive sugar sized aragonite sand from the local fish store and dump that on the bottom of your now empty tank to a depth of around 3"-3.5" (8-9cm).

• Carefully add a little of your new saltwater to the tank and then add your live rock. Finish filling the tank with new saltwater and start it back up.

• Wait about 8-24 hours and then add your fish.

That would be my recommendation and it's something you should think about now rather than later on when it will be more difficult. Did the store that sold you the tank actually recommend the UGF?