How do you lower Phosphate

Bartman · 03-23-2009, 05:52 PM

Title really speaks for itself.

I have tested my tank today, day 3 of cycling for a proposed reef tank. Test results show something from 0.25 to .75, it was a little hard to distinguish color against the chart. Now I just read I should have it down to 0.03 ppm. Just wondering how you guys keep phosphates down and what is your recommended range for a reef aquarium.

Thanks

lcstorc · 03-23-2009, 06:08 PM

Since your tank is still cycling I wouldn't be concerned now, but here are some tips for the future.
Phosphates can come from a number of sources so step 1 is to reduce the phosphates added to your system. Check your salt, and any other additives you use for phosphates. There is however one way we often unknowingly add phosphates to the system. Feeding the fish. Prepared fish food uses phosphates as a preservative. Rinse all food in RO/DI water prior to use. Notice I said rinse. Many will tell you to soak the food, but that really does nothing. You have to wash away the phosphates. This includes flakes and pellets as well as frozen. It is a bit inconvenient for the flakes and pellets but in the long run is worth it.
Since it is inevitable you will get some phosphates no matter how hard you try, any time you detect them run a phosphate removing media such as Phosban or Rowaphos. You can either just put it in a bag in an area of flow in the sump or you can purchase an inexpensive Phosban reactor. It works a bit better in the reactor but does quite well run passively as well.

Bartman · 03-23-2009, 06:28 PM

Would it be effective if used within a canister filter by itself solely for this purpose? I am not planning on using a sump.

burning2nd · 03-23-2009, 06:47 PM

no

any kind of screen or net or filter will catch stuff in the water as it travel's thur the water.. it will build up wheres its restrained at, or where it settles and brake down... adding to the no3 and ph4 incresss.

the simple anwser is water changes WITH water that do not contain PH4.

If you do water changes with water that has what your trying to remove you will be defeating yourself..

a good RODI setup and proper water changes are the way to fix this....

but as your still cycleing get your hand outta the tank and let it be...
time is what you need.

03-23-2009, 05:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bartman Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 4 View Gallery Karma Komment	How do you lower Phosphate Title really speaks for itself. I have tested my tank today, day 3 of cycling for a proposed reef tank. Test results show something from 0.25 to .75, it was a little hard to distinguish color against the chart. Now I just read I should have it down to 0.03 ppm. Just wondering how you guys keep phosphates down and what is your recommended range for a reef aquarium. Thanks

03-23-2009, 06:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 26,433 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How do you lower Phosphate Since your tank is still cycling I wouldn't be concerned now, but here are some tips for the future. Phosphates can come from a number of sources so step 1 is to reduce the phosphates added to your system. Check your salt, and any other additives you use for phosphates. There is however one way we often unknowingly add phosphates to the system. Feeding the fish. Prepared fish food uses phosphates as a preservative. Rinse all food in RO/DI water prior to use. Notice I said rinse. Many will tell you to soak the food, but that really does nothing. You have to wash away the phosphates. This includes flakes and pellets as well as frozen. It is a bit inconvenient for the flakes and pellets but in the long run is worth it. Since it is inevitable you will get some phosphates no matter how hard you try, any time you detect them run a phosphate removing media such as Phosban or Rowaphos. You can either just put it in a bag in an area of flow in the sump or you can purchase an inexpensive Phosban reactor. It works a bit better in the reactor but does quite well run passively as well. __________________ Peace LYNN Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Lynn's frag tank experiment A reef tank is like a race car. The faster you go the harder you crash.

03-23-2009, 06:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bartman Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 4 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How do you lower Phosphate Would it be effective if used within a canister filter by itself solely for this purpose? I am not planning on using a sump.

03-23-2009, 06:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
burning2nd Golden Moray Join Date: May 2006 Location: PA Posts: 2,287 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How do you lower Phosphate no any kind of screen or net or filter will catch stuff in the water as it travel's thur the water.. it will build up wheres its restrained at, or where it settles and brake down... adding to the no3 and ph4 incresss. the simple anwser is water changes WITH water that do not contain PH4. If you do water changes with water that has what your trying to remove you will be defeating yourself.. a good RODI setup and proper water changes are the way to fix this.... but as your still cycleing get your hand outta the tank and let it be... time is what you need. __________________ ________________________________________________ 30g, 10g DIY sump w/ mag7 Csr90 over flow. 36" sunpod 2x150 2 Tunze 6020 40 Lb's Live Rock 20 lb's of Ls Aqua C REmora mIxed reef, softies, pora's, clams, 1 Amphiprion ocellaris (hosting GTA) jake the jedi sexy shrimp, and brown bob

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