Should I worry about Phosphate?

So, as I sit here, bored at work, making sure I have all my ducks in a row, I can't help but worry that my rocks are going to leach phosphate and that I will have issues. I know, everyone battles algae at least once early on, but I'm paranoid about the phosphates right now. Aside from a reactor of sorts, is there anything else I can do to help this? Keep in mind I will put a ball of chaeto in the fuge after cycling.

 

As long as you keep the phosphate low in the water, it doesn't really matter for long if your rocks leach phosphate. For the most part, phosphate binding is an equilibrium reaction. If it is high in the water and low in the rocks, it goes to the rocks. If it is low in the water and high in the rocks, it goes to the water. Rocks can only bind so much phosphate, so, if there is phosphate bound to rocks, and you keep your water clean you can remove it pretty easily. I think it can be an issue short term, but if you are diligent about maintenance, it should not be a long term issue. GFO is the best defense against phosphate IMO. However, phosphate generally isn't an issue unless you have algae. If you don't have an algae problem, you probably don't have a phosphate problem.

 

Just let things run it's course. jmo