Mixed Reef- What PO4 levels?

treetopflyn · 03/11/2014, 07:33 AM

I know everyone has there own ideas on phosphates and most shoot for zero phosphates. I was wondering what those of you that keep a true mixed reef (Nems, Macro Algae, Softies, LPS and SPS) shoot for as far as phosphates?

Indiana Reefin · 03/11/2014, 10:29 AM

0 is not good. Corals use phosphates as food. I would say for a mixed reef .03-.08 would be good. I have mixed reef and I run GFO and my phosphate level is .03-.05 with a Hannah checker

snorvich · 03/11/2014, 10:30 AM

0.04 but testing accurately is difficult.

d2mini · 03/11/2014, 11:29 AM

Hanna says mine are well over .1
I have no nuisance algae, so whatevs. Tank looks great.
Even .04 is getting low imho for a mixed reef.

nicholasb · 03/11/2014, 11:43 AM

Most hair algae grows at 0.03, so below 0.03 is good. 0.05/8 can stop hard corals growing
A salifert test should show no sign of blue. A hanna checker is also good.

tkeracer619 · 03/11/2014, 11:46 AM

There have been reports of people going too far.

Most of the time it is a combination of underfeeding, over use of GFO, and carbon dosing all stacked on top of one another.

I am with the firm belief that it is very difficult to get phosphates low enough where it damages corals. I would bet more then a grain of salt that the impacts seen in such situations were a combination of things and not just low phosphate.

03/11/2014, 07:33 AM	#1
treetopflyn Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 1,580	Mixed Reef- What PO4 levels? I know everyone has there own ideas on phosphates and most shoot for zero phosphates. I was wondering what those of you that keep a true mixed reef (Nems, Macro Algae, Softies, LPS and SPS) shoot for as far as phosphates? __________________ 105 Gallon Reef Savvy (48"x 24"X 21") Glass Holes overflow, 29G sump, Mag 12 return, Reef Octopus 150, 2- Jebo WP-25s, Phosoban reactor, 2 Ai Sol Blue's controlled by Reef Angle Controller.

03/11/2014, 11:29 AM	#4
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	Hanna says mine are well over .1 I have no nuisance algae, so whatevs. Tank looks great. Even .04 is getting low imho for a mixed reef. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

03/11/2014, 11:46 AM	#6
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	There have been reports of people going too far. Most of the time it is a combination of underfeeding, over use of GFO, and carbon dosing all stacked on top of one another. I am with the firm belief that it is very difficult to get phosphates low enough where it damages corals. I would bet more then a grain of salt that the impacts seen in such situations were a combination of things and not just low phosphate. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

03/11/2014, 10:29 AM	#2
Indiana Reefin Garrett Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 847	0 is not good. Corals use phosphates as food. I would say for a mixed reef .03-.08 would be good. I have mixed reef and I run GFO and my phosphate level is .03-.05 with a Hannah checker

03/11/2014, 10:30 AM	#3
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	0.04 but testing accurately is difficult.

03/11/2014, 11:43 AM	#5
nicholasb Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: south west england Posts: 292	Most hair algae grows at 0.03, so below 0.03 is good. 0.05/8 can stop hard corals growing A salifert test should show no sign of blue. A hanna checker is also good.