What's with my phosphate level?

We are cycling our new tank - this is week #4 since the water & sand went in & 3 1/2 since the LR went in.

We have coraline algae & a couple of other kinds (there's so little it's hard to see it).

We added 10 blue-leg crabs & 10 turbo snails a week ago.

I just tested the water & the results are:
Ammonia - <.25
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 25
Phosphate - 0.1
SG - 1.025
Temp - 79.4

We are using RO/DI from the LFS - I also checked the phosphate level of the fresh water we use for topping off the tank. It was 0, so I don't think it's the water.

Since we don't have anything else in the tank other than the crabs & the snails, we have not put any food in the tank.

Why is my phosphate reading so high?

By the way, we are using Salifert test kits with expiration dates in 2010.

Any ideas & suggestions are appreciated!

julie

 

Hi, not sure about thr reading. I use API tests and the graduation is; 0.0, 0.25, 0.5 and then 1.0, 2.0 etc. 0.1 would be next to nothing and I wouldn't worry too much.

 

Julie,

Phosphate is a requirement for life. Just like Carbon is. Many other plants and animals require other elements too, but Phosphate and Carbon are always limiting factors.


These readings would not be unexpected during the initial cycle. www.asira.org - Bacteria and Algae in Cycling

 

Thanks for the input!

I was just concerned because the test kit called a reading of 0.10 as 'critical', so I was a bit worried that something wasn't right.

Thanks again,

julie

 

ya its all good. thats all part of the cycle. wouldnt worry that much until the tank is at the end of its cycle. when it is and if it is still so high, i would just gradually add treated freshwater by the gallon. SLOWLY!!! thats how you get that reading lower.

 

Are you running a fuge?

 

We're not running a fuge at this time.

 

Correction, phosphates are not part of the "cycle". Phosphates are introduced into the tank and are not naturally there.

 

What do you suggest I do? A water change or use an additive?

 

Do a water change with RO/DI water as your base water if you aren't already. If you are using RO/DI water to make your saltwater, you may want to test and make sure your RO filter is still rejecting enough contaminants to make clean water. If you have a big level of phosphates, do a bigger change, maybe 50% or slightly more. Then add a phosphate sponge into your filtration system. The main thing is finding the source of your phosphates. What salt mix are you using? Are you putting your hands in the tank without aqua-safe gloves?