phosphate won't drop

tireur · 03/26/2008, 01:46 PM

My phosphates will barely drop in my tank, I have "Phosguard" and I use it as directed, and have been for about 3 weeks now. My phosphates are barely lower than when I started, I add maybe half a galon a week but probably less of tap water. Is there any good way to get them to drop besides going and getting the drops?

Thanks for any input!

BeesGoneWild · 03/26/2008, 01:49 PM

Purchase yourself a phosphate reactor and start using ro/di water if you havent already.

rbtwo4 · 03/26/2008, 01:51 PM

Ro/di water. Ur tap water may be high in phosphate and ur rocks may have absorbed lots of it before u used the phosguard.

Tswifty · 03/26/2008, 02:08 PM

tap water is more than likely the culprit.

RO/DI

http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/26/2008, 02:38 PM

What is the phosphate concentration and how did you measure it?

Do you have an algae problem?

I'd suggest switching to a brand of GFO (iron based phosphate binder) rather than the aluminum-based Phosguard. Not only are they more effective, but the leached aluminum can irritate some corals when using Phosguard.

These may help:

Phosphate and the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php

The â€œHow Toâ€ Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners,
Part 4: What Chemicals May Detrimentally Accumulate
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php

Iron Oxide Hydroxide (GFO) Phosphate Binders
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.htm

tireur · 03/26/2008, 04:32 PM

I have a test kit made by red sea, and it's been staying at about .5 ppm, which is from what I hear not too good.

*there is barely any algae growing, there's a little bit of green on the rocks but nothing realy noticable.

gusmanda · 03/26/2008, 04:36 PM

Phosban is a good non-aluminium option, it worked really well for me. That and RO/DI water should do the trick.

serpentman · 03/26/2008, 05:15 PM

Is there any livestock in this setup?

Aside from source water, you could be introducing phosphate by overfeeding,which actually is not hard to do at all. Try reducing the amt fed and maybe feed more frequently.

Also, a refugium is a good phosphate export mechanism.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/27/2008, 07:43 AM

I'm a little surprised that with 0.5 ppm phosphate, there is no algae problem. I wonder if the kit is accurate.

BeesGoneWild · 03/27/2008, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tireur
I have a test kit made by red sea, and it's been staying at about .5 ppm, which is from what I hear not too good.

*there is barely any algae growing, there's a little bit of green on the rocks but nothing realy noticable.

i would change your test kit, ive had bad results from the red sea phosphate test kit it always measured Pretty high for me. If the tank is new you probably wont have much growth just yet, but youll be looking at a green hair algea farm once the algea gets a hold. That i can almost garuntee.

Take your tap water add salt to bring up salinity = to the tanks and test it. That will give you an indication of how much phosphate you are adding. If its anything like my tap water you had better get a ro/di unit.

03/26/2008, 01:46 PM	#1
tireur Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: PA Posts: 31	phosphate won't drop My phosphates will barely drop in my tank, I have "Phosguard" and I use it as directed, and have been for about 3 weeks now. My phosphates are barely lower than when I started, I add maybe half a galon a week but probably less of tap water. Is there any good way to get them to drop besides going and getting the drops? Thanks for any input!

03/26/2008, 01:51 PM	#3
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	Ro/di water. Ur tap water may be high in phosphate and ur rocks may have absorbed lots of it before u used the phosguard. __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10

03/26/2008, 02:08 PM	#4
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	tap water is more than likely the culprit. RO/DI http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

03/26/2008, 02:38 PM	#5
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	What is the phosphate concentration and how did you measure it? Do you have an algae problem? I'd suggest switching to a brand of GFO (iron based phosphate binder) rather than the aluminum-based Phosguard. Not only are they more effective, but the leached aluminum can irritate some corals when using Phosguard. These may help: Phosphate and the Reef Aquarium http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php The â€œHow Toâ€ Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 4: What Chemicals May Detrimentally Accumulate http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php Iron Oxide Hydroxide (GFO) Phosphate Binders http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.htm __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

03/26/2008, 05:15 PM	#8
serpentman part time superhero Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Deep in the Heart of the Snowbelt (NE OHIO) Posts: 5,698	Is there any livestock in this setup? Aside from source water, you could be introducing phosphate by overfeeding,which actually is not hard to do at all. Try reducing the amt fed and maybe feed more frequently. Also, a refugium is a good phosphate export mechanism. __________________ BS in Marine Bio ('96), First SW tank in 1992. Current Tank(s) 300g SPS with 90g frag tank and 40 anemone tank - decommissioned 46g LPS/Softy Cube 300g FOWLR under construction - decommissioned

03/26/2008, 01:49 PM	#2
BeesGoneWild Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: North Eastern Pennsylvannia Posts: 1,064	Purchase yourself a phosphate reactor and start using ro/di water if you havent already.

03/26/2008, 04:32 PM	#6
tireur Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: PA Posts: 31	I have a test kit made by red sea, and it's been staying at about .5 ppm, which is from what I hear not too good. *there is barely any algae growing, there's a little bit of green on the rocks but nothing realy noticable.

03/26/2008, 04:36 PM	#7
gusmanda Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Guadalajara, (central west Mexico) Posts: 848	Phosban is a good non-aluminium option, it worked really well for me. That and RO/DI water should do the trick.

03/27/2008, 07:43 AM	#9
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I'm a little surprised that with 0.5 ppm phosphate, there is no algae problem. I wonder if the kit is accurate. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef