Phosphates threw the roof! 2.75

i tested my water today and the phosphates were of the charts! 2.75 using the hannah digital tester. .12 from the tap. i am doing some major water changes as we speak. what effect would this level have on coral and fish. all of which seem good. i dont have problem algea in my tank. i only feed the tank once a day and no food goes uneaten. i do regular water changes once a week. 10-15%. i dont run a skimmer. hmmm. other params are good.

 

P4 won't affect the fish or corals, you will just have high algae blooms.
If P4 is in your tap water as mine was, water changes will not help.

I have used Bl P4 control with good luck
Blue Life Phosphate Control 1oz - Phosphate Remover - Specialty - Additives - Aquarium Supplies | Tropical Pet Fish Supplies | Aquariums

I am using RO/DI now so I no longer have this issue.

 

thats what i mean i tested the PO4 from the tap and its .12 the tank is at 2.75! its coming from somewhere. and thats the thing i dont have algea blooms.

 

It wont effect fish, but it will effect corals. Mainly slow their growth rates. The biggest thing that leaches PO4 into the tank is the fish food.

 

where are you getting your water?
do you have a ato and where is that water coming from?
are you using rowaphos?
or seachem gel?
what type of rock do you have and where did it come from?
was the rock nukked prior to use?
is the digital tester calibrated?

 

what food would contain the most po4? frozen or flake? i feed frozen the most often. i dont run any media for po4 control. the test was done at OA a very good LFS imo. great staff and fair prices.

 

Frozen food packs a ton of phosphates. I rinse like 5x before feeding.

 

Any and all can contain high levels of PO4. If your mostly feeding frozen, make sure to sop up the juice with a paper towel before dumping it in for the fishies

 

after soaking up the juice with a paper towel can i then add tank water to the food? i ask this because i feed the fish using a small turkey baster type thing (meant for aquariums) or will the food then leach po4 back into the water?

and i take if rinsed it i would just use regular water?

 

all dry fish food contains PO4