Phosphates

Hello all. I recently started testing phosphates on my own after a random LFS test said it was high. After a WC I've brought it down to 2.0. from 4.0. Is this acceptable or does it need to be 0.0? I had noticed red algae spots starting up but have since died back. (addition of more snails helped). My center piece LR, started to get this rust color that accumulates a mossy texture to it. I believe I was over feeding as well as with the addition of the melted mysis water perhaps being a culprit. I've since adjusted my feedings as well as rinse the frozen mysis and strain just the meat out. As always I appreciate any and all comments/feedback.
Par.: ph: 8.0 Ammonia: 0.0 Nitrite: 0.0 Nitrate: 10 Phosphate: 2.0 Temp 78 Salinity 1.021

Many Thanks,
nick

 

I am curious as to what units you are referring to in your measurements...

0.00 to 0.03 ppm is what I think of as the target level

Here's an article to read that may help.

Mark

 

Thanks Mark. The card reads at the top 0.0 ppm (mg/L) the card ranges from 0.0 0.25 0.5 1.0 2.0 5.0 10.0

 

That is a lot of phosphates. Anything over 0.05 ppm is too much for me. Unless you are adding something that contains a lot of phosphates like some products for dosing or feeding I would question that value. And I would test my water source. Good thing you caught, because it could lead to some frustrating algae problems. Whats up with the SG, that is low for corals I would shoot for 1.025.

 

Thanks Corailline. It is low, I usually keep it at 1.023 and just topped off this am. I will wait a while and test again. Perhaps I took the sample too soon after adding fresh. I use RO water. I also dose iodine once a week as per directed.

 

I would be a little hesitant to dose iodine, as it has been know to crash systems. Do you test for it? Another issue entirely. Alot of people dose for inverts and soft corals and have great results. I recently read a thread about iodide vs iodine and the reduced risk of bad stuff <not very scientific on football Sunday morning)
As for your phosphates, they are a little high, but if you dont have SPS coral in there you don't need to worry as much. Anyway, sounds like you are pretty bright, and have learned the pitfalls of your food's potential binders! Controlling your feedings and rinsing your food will reduce the extra phosphates from the equation.
Do you run a sump and/or fuge? My nutrient problems back in the day were quickly solved by adding a fuge and the proper maintenance of my sponges!

 

ahhh ... ingtar, you just answered why 3 of my acro's i added didnt make it. when all else is thriving. ( not sure why the birds nest is thriving? but maybe they are hardier?) i know my phosphates were high. over feeding is why, also didnt have a skimmer in place till last week.

 

Birdnests are a little hardier, but with high levels they will start to lose tissue from their base (we call it STN or slow tissue necrosis) that could kill your coral. Skimmers are a good piece of equipment, but I stil think a good fuge with macro algae is just as important. It worked better for my SPS tank that a skimmer alone. I would do some light water changes, maybe 5-10 percent every other day for a week, to bring down those levels, control your feedings, and enjoy your Seriatoporas! I just got my first two a few days back.

 

thanks for the comments. I don't run a sump or fuge. I don't have the space. I would need to have it sitting next to my stand not acceptable. But I am beginning to read and love the idea of having some macro algae in my DT. Some are more suitable than others. I think it will give a more natural look and I like the idea of having to prune and garden within my tank! I'm hoping this will also improve water quality and the lives of my fish. I just picked up a few weeks ago my first softies and zoas. I wanted them to spread all over my LR> I was told to dose iodine to help their growth...

 

i do have a 3 section sump with a sock, refugium with mud and mangroves and cheato ( is that spelling write?). just added the skimmer, also looking for a way to filter threw chemi-pure. i think i have that figured out.
And you are right i might lose my birds nest. i noticed the base seemed whiter than it was when i purchased it. but figured it was doing ok since the rest is all a pretty pink.
i can tell you after adding the skimmer the algae in my tank is slowly disappearing. i will mix water today and do a small water change tomorrow. thank you so much for your info. i never realized how phosphates effect corals. i always thought it just caused algae, and that was it. so i never tested for phosphates. now that you have told me this i see how important it is to keep that in check. Thank you!

And thank you Nick for starting this thread. i have learned a lot