?'s about phosphate levels

Just did a water parameter check and while ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate were at 0, my first phosphate check revealed a high 2-3ppm. I think the source of this is primarily due to the tap water i use (i'm already in the process of procurring a RODI unit). What is considered safe for a FOWLR setup?

 

Should not hurt, but if you are worried get some Chemi-Pure Elite or some other product that uses granulated ferric oxide (GFO).

 

For a fish only you really don't need to worry about phosphate as for as the fish are concerned. But high phosphate can cause problems with algae, so you want to try to keep it low.

 

phosphates are like steroids for algae, you can grow algae in a refugium.

 

Like others said, the phosphates are not really an issue for your fish, but algea for sure loves it. I belive there are chemicals that can be used to rid of phosphates, but I have never personally tried them. I have a buddy that buys phosphate pads that he puts in his filter and he said that they worked pretty well. Otherwise you can always setup up a sump/refugium. Which might be nice for your setup so you can hide all of your hardware and grow macro algea to keep unwanted algea out of your display tank.

 

K+ to that.