Phosphates too high :-(

Phil - thanks for that. I'll test the sand and let you know. And yes, I have got more algae growing than I'd expect. On the tank walls and some of the rock.

Patrick - no, I hadn't thought of a reactor. I'm pretty new to this - what does a reactor do and any suggestions about models?

Thanks

 

Some foods including dry and frozen may contain undesirable things like nitrates, phosphates etc and overfeeding the tank is also another factor. Using , RO/DI water, a high quality salt with no phosphates etc like Tropic Marin or similar good quality salt should really help keep your PO4 in check too.

 

I think you have some good advice in this thread so far. For my money I would say you resolved your issue with the addition of Rowaphos – give that stuff a week in a canister and the phosphates will be gone.

I too suspect the addition may be from the frozen cubes you are dropping in each day. Have you ever tested your make up water – is not you should.

 

Ok - latest update. I've tested my water - no PO4 in unused saltwater so it's not coming in from there.

I tested some sand in 'clean' saltwater overnight and it does seem that there's a bit of leaching going on. PO4 reading approx 0.2ppm. So, if the problem is with my sand, what are my options to fix it? Do it need to replace it? (It's live sand).

Thanks

 

No need to replace it, I would remove 1/4 with a net and rinse with RO water then soak overnight, put it back the next day then leave it a week and remove another 1/4 and do the same, then a week later another 1/4 and then the final 1/4 a week later. By delaying the removal you will not kill all worms/pods/bacteria etc and other life in there. This should get ris of the majority of the PO4 in 4 weeks, I wouldn't do it any quicker than this as it can cause problems. Replacing the whole of your sand bed will also cause problems with cycling and massive effects on the life that was in your sand.

This can cause problems depending on what livestock you have in there and I would recommend doing over the course of a month as I suggest above.


How deep is your sand bed and what live stock have you got in there?

 

I like phils idea. When i changed out some sand about a year ago using the net removal method all sorts of detris and crud was released into the tank (everything was fine in the end) but i would maybe put a filter sock in the sump prior to scooping sand and make sure you have good water flow in tank. Or use a python and just collect the top layer of sand. FYI I've heard of gas (not sure what kind) being released into the tank if a DSB is heavily disturbed. I use a Phos reactor and it does a great job removing any phosphate that may be in tank ($40-50) and its really easy to use.

 

I agree, might be best to use a gravel siphon and siphon your sand bed before you start removing the sand.

 

bingo. that's your problem. you have 2 maroon clowns? You could easily get by with feeding those 2-3x a week (where as you are currently feeding 14x a week.

IMO, this whole sand leaching piece is a red herring. You have a pretty high phosphate acount, of course you're going to read some from your sand. But that's not the source, IMO, it's getting it from the excess food.

You already added the rowaphos, just give that time to work and reduce feedings drastically. Then wait.

agreed

agreed

 

Yup +1 to the over feeding. I think that is to much for the few fish you have. Cut back on your feeding. Also rinse the frozen food in RO water before feeding. Most frozen food has a ton of phosphate in the water its packed in.

 

Feeding only 2-3 times a week is unnatural and cruelty to fish, in my line of work I would lose my job for cruelty to animals and could be prosecuted. Fish are grazers and should be fed at least daily unless they are large piscivores. Ideally they should be fed a small amount twice a day. I agree that 1/2 a cube of food and flake daily is excessive and more than likely the root cause of your high phosphate level, but only feeding 2-3 times a week is nowhere near enough food for fish. This may suit you corals but they are inverebrates and it is your duty to provide ideal conditions for your vertebrates (fish). Otherwise it is animal cruelty.