Phosphate question

tontra · 03/18/2007, 01:58 PM

Where does phosphate come from? If I am using purified water, can phosphate still be a problem? What damage is done by phosphates anyway?

Avi · 03/18/2007, 02:27 PM

Well, it generally comes in with feeding fish and coral since you don't introduce it if your it with a reliable quality water source. When the foods break down or are ingested and reduced to detritus in your reef, phosphates are introduced. They themselves don't do any harm but the potential for harm is certainly there by fostering micro-algae growths on your live rock and coral. Micro-algae growths like that can and do grow on coral and smother them by keeping light from reaching them. That's the dangerous part...secondarily, obviously, algae growths can be awful to look at and so all necessary and appropriate measures should be taken to keep phosphates at controlled levels.

McCrary · 03/18/2007, 03:26 PM

Phosphates can also damage coral that are sensitive to it like SPS coral. If you are measuring phosphate in your aquarium a small fluidized reator filled with rowaphos can help to control the phosphate.

Here is a link to a good phosphate reactor: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=TL4311

Avi · 03/18/2007, 08:33 PM

Tontra...have you tested for phosphates?

03/18/2007, 01:58 PM	#1
tontra Moved On Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 80	Phosphate question Where does phosphate come from? If I am using purified water, can phosphate still be a problem? What damage is done by phosphates anyway?

03/18/2007, 02:27 PM	#2
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	Well, it generally comes in with feeding fish and coral since you don't introduce it if your it with a reliable quality water source. When the foods break down or are ingested and reduced to detritus in your reef, phosphates are introduced. They themselves don't do any harm but the potential for harm is certainly there by fostering micro-algae growths on your live rock and coral. Micro-algae growths like that can and do grow on coral and smother them by keeping light from reaching them. That's the dangerous part...secondarily, obviously, algae growths can be awful to look at and so all necessary and appropriate measures should be taken to keep phosphates at controlled levels. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

03/18/2007, 03:26 PM	#3
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	Phosphates can also damage coral that are sensitive to it like SPS coral. If you are measuring phosphate in your aquarium a small fluidized reator filled with rowaphos can help to control the phosphate. Here is a link to a good phosphate reactor: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=TL4311 __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

03/18/2007, 08:33 PM	#4
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	Tontra...have you tested for phosphates? __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR