Phosphate Question

All my water parameters test fine except PO4 which reads <.25. I'm assuming since I'm running ClearFX Pro and getting film algae on the glass that they are actually much higher. I'm currently using RO/DI water from Walmart but do have an option of getting it from my LFS (at a longer drive and higher cost).

I was considering testing some samples from both locations and was wondering if the API test are accurate on RO water. Buying a RO unit is not an option at this time.

 

a really good RO/DI unit can cost as low as $100.

Walmart has RO/DI?

I even have a DIY Phos guard reactor- which took away ALL my Cyano!! When I had Cyano, my Phos still read 0, as did Nitrates.

Algae on the glass is pretty normal, depending on/how much light you have.

 

you may have hit on the issue. i would think walmart is just ro water

as far as using the clear fx proi also use this and find it to be a great product, but i still have to run gfo for phosphates , there is not enough phosphate remover in it for my tank. you may be having a similar issue. i have my clear fx pro in a reactor, still in its bag. i now just open the bag and put in extra gfo. and drop it in to my reactor.

 

I think we have found the problem. The water from Walmart test at around .25 for phosphates while the water from my LFS tests at 0.