Phosphates

The Saltman · 01/09/2010, 11:13 PM

Phosphates are reading 0.45 mg/l on hanna phosphate meter. Is that really high?

GlassReef · 01/09/2010, 11:24 PM

If you have SPS, then that's really high. Most will tell you to get down around .03, but .05 to .06 will do it too.

The Saltman · 01/17/2010, 04:35 PM

Phosphates are down to 0.21 mg/l. Is this still high enough to inhibit coral growth?

Kshack · 01/18/2010, 12:14 PM

Yes. 0.21 is not in the range suggested. .03 would be great. Go slow, as rapid decrease can lead to tissue necrosis. Make sure you are using very clean glass with no finger prints, etc. that can give bad test results.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/18/2010, 12:19 PM

I'd target 0.03 ppm or less if you have (or want to keep) hard corals or coralline aglae.

This has more:

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners,
Part 4: What Chemicals May Detrimentally Accumulate
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php

01/09/2010, 11:13 PM	#1
The Saltman Moved On Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northwest Ohio Posts: 1,642	Phosphates Phosphates are reading 0.45 mg/l on hanna phosphate meter. Is that really high?

01/09/2010, 11:24 PM	#2
GlassReef Got Reef Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida Posts: 2,501	If you have SPS, then that's really high. Most will tell you to get down around .03, but .05 to .06 will do it too. __________________ Tom No matter how much you try to push the envelope, it remains stationary.

01/18/2010, 12:19 PM	#5
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I'd target 0.03 ppm or less if you have (or want to keep) hard corals or coralline aglae. This has more: Reef Aquarium Water Parameters http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 4: What Chemicals May Detrimentally Accumulate http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/17/2010, 04:35 PM	#3
The Saltman Moved On Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northwest Ohio Posts: 1,642	Phosphates are down to 0.21 mg/l. Is this still high enough to inhibit coral growth?

01/18/2010, 12:14 PM	#4
Kshack Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ridgefield, WA Posts: 202	Yes. 0.21 is not in the range suggested. .03 would be great. Go slow, as rapid decrease can lead to tissue necrosis. Make sure you are using very clean glass with no finger prints, etc. that can give bad test results.