Phosphate out of whack

Got my phosphates checked and they were .2-.25

Lfs store recommended to add media and carbon since I've never done either. Gave me dr Tim's waste away. Said to suck out debris from sump. Add power head into sump for flow. Aubrey at some point a phosphate reactor. My protein skimmer has never been cleaned out besides collection cup, should this get some attention? Any other recommendations welcomed

 

You need to be cleaning/changing your filter pads AT LEAST every 3rd day, your skimmer cup AND skimmer neck should be cleaned at least 1 time a week, your sump SHOULD have a small powerhead in it to blow the detritus out of the dead spots where it will collect, It's obviously not easy to siphon detritus out of the sump since it's most likely at floor level and you cant really start a siphon without gravity

So if you keep up with those things as well as feed light enough that everything get's eaten and doesnt break down in the tank it will help out with your PO4 level's, Also adding some GFO either just in a filter bag in the sump in a high flow area or in a reactor wouldnt be a bad idea

I however have decided to go the carbon dosing route for my tank about 3-4 months ago now and my NO3 and PO4 both stay pretty much undetectable, I dose Vinegar instead of Vodka as it leaves a little more wiggle room for error as well as the fact that it will NOT promote red slime algae growth like the vodka will, The biggest thing with carbon dosing is a GOOD skimmer that is functioning well, Take a look at some threads about vinegar dosing and maybe it would be something that interests you, I have a thread on this forum talking about it as well as a dosing chart

I noticed a huge improvement in the growth and color of my corals about a month after I started carbon dosing and I have honestly never had such great luck with ANY other method in all my years

 

I have exactly the same experience as tinctorus with carbon dosing. Changes from vodka to vinegar because of the red algae. My nitrates are lower than ever but I feel that carbon dosing does not help with phosphates. That is why I use a GFO reactor. With the phosban you will see your phosphates go down really fast!

All other advise about cleaning filters and removing detritus are also necesary for success with phosphates.

 

My phosphates read 0 on API kits, but I had some
cyano. I built a simple Phos reactor- got a thread on it. Cost a few dollars only and I put PhosGuard in it. Add a little more every few months.
Even with a large cheato basket in my sump, I still had some Cyano. Tried Vodka dosing- should have drank it instead-I saw no diff.
My Cyano went away, never came
back.

Edit: I do understand the concept of carbon dosing and admit it is completely valid, and does work.
After about 8 weeks- It didn't do much for ME- yet I know it works.

Here is my DIY Phostguard reactor thread- with links to where I got the idea:
http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/diy-phosphate-remover-133924.html

 

Thanks for the feedback