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View Full Version : On going Phosphate issues.. Need some help!

ashr
03-15-2014, 02:33 AM
Hey all

My Tank: Red Sea Max 250 (66g)

So I have been battling high phos for sometime now. I just used my Hannah Checker and I am up around 0.29. I cannot for the life of me get this down to around .02 - .05 to where I want it. I use RowaPhos and chemi-pure elite.
I do a water change every 2-3 weeks of at least 5-8g. I suppose the best thing is to do some big water changes and add more Rowa but wanted to ask some of you in here. My tank is 85% SPS and the rest is LPS.

Can anyone give me some pointers on this.. I've been reefing for around 5 years and this is just getting to me. My corals look good, the colors are great but I am starting to get brown algae on some of my coral tips where flow isnt getting too.

Any help would be great..

Thanks

My levels:
Calc 300 (My doser stopped working, i usually keep it around 450 so I am getting this back up)
Alk 10-11
Phos .29
SG 1.029
shrimp
03-15-2014, 02:40 AM
I would do a 45 gallon water change fallowed by a 25 gallon water change's every 2 weeks and all your problems will be solved.
gregzz4
03-15-2014, 02:44 AM
How long has this tank been setup, and where did the LR come from ?
ashr
03-15-2014, 02:46 AM
How long has this tank been setup, and where did the LR come from ?

I have had the tank set up for about 3-4 years. I have all the live rock from local pet stores, bali rock and fiji I believe
ashr
03-15-2014, 02:49 AM
How long has this tank been setup, and where did the LR come from ?

That is what I was thinking.. just do massive water changes...


What is strange is a lot of my GSP is not coming out.. which is nice as it is everywhere but a clear indicator that something is not right..



I have also been dosing amino acids lately.
flipzed
03-15-2014, 03:20 AM
Sg 1. 029 is a little high should bring it back down to 1. 025-1.026
gregzz4
03-15-2014, 03:22 AM
I'm wondering if your LR is leaching PO4
The Grizz
03-15-2014, 04:19 AM
It does sound like maybe your rock is starting to leach phoshates. You could try dosing FozDown. Salinity is a bit high as others have mentioned.
Myka
03-15-2014, 04:31 AM
My levels:
Calc 300 (My doser stopped working, i usually keep it around 450 so I am getting this back up)
Alk 10-11
Phos .29
SG 1.029

Your parameters are really out of whack. You should be aiming for something close to this:

SG 1.026
Ca 400-420 ppm
Alk 7-9 dKH
Mg 1250-1400 ppm

Since the doser stopped working and calcium dipped so low and alkalinity so high I would be thinking that the algae-covered SPS tips were probably caused by alkalinity swings. Alkalinity swings will PO GSP ime too. Increasing the amount of GFO you're using will cause a bigger alkalinity swing when you replace it. I would be concentrating on getting those levels in the proper range and keeping them consistent before worrying about anything else. Some people get too focused on nitrate and phosphate levels when things are otherwise looking good. Honestly, if your tank runs fine at 0.28 ppm phosphate I would leave it alone.
ashr
03-15-2014, 05:53 AM
Your parameters are really out of whack. You should be aiming for something close to this:

SG 1.026
Ca 400-420 ppm
Alk 7-9 dKH
Mg 1250-1400 ppm

Since the doser stopped working and calcium dipped so low and alkalinity so high I would be thinking that the algae-covered SPS tips were probably caused by alkalinity swings. Alkalinity swings will PO GSP ime too. Increasing the amount of GFO you're using will cause a bigger alkalinity swing when you replace it. I would be concentrating on getting those levels in the proper range and keeping them consistent before worrying about anything else. Some people get too focused on nitrate and phosphate levels when things are otherwise looking good. Honestly, if your tank runs fine at 0.28 ppm phosphate I would leave it alone.

Great advice.
This is what I was also thinking. Even though I dose a two part it is soo hard to get my levels to ware I want them. Over all my tank usually looks great with no problems. Need to bring that ALK and Mg down a bit and Calc up again.


Thanks :)
lastlight
03-15-2014, 06:21 AM
and make sure none of your test kits are expired. this recently gave me some headaches with my own tank.
Amadod2
03-15-2014, 06:42 AM
where can i pick up foz down??
Wheelman76
03-15-2014, 06:45 AM
Message TimT , he sells it and he is in Chilliwack
monocus
03-15-2014, 07:31 AM
precision solutions phosphate solution is more bang for your buck.i've used both on my tanks and ps gives more doses
badAZZlars
03-15-2014, 01:46 PM
Bright well aquatics phosphate-e is the same thing too. Pretty cheap and can be purchased at JL.


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Myka
03-15-2014, 03:14 PM
Great advice.
This is what I was also thinking. Even though I dose a two part it is soo hard to get my levels to ware I want them. Over all my tank usually looks great with no problems. Need to bring that ALK and Mg down a bit and Calc up again.


Thanks :)

You're welcome. :)

You didn't mention a value for Mg, so I assumed you don't test for it. It is a very important part of dosing. Which test kits are you using for each test anyway? How old are they? How do you test SG?
gregzz4
03-15-2014, 04:11 PM
Good catch Mindy :smile:
mseepman
03-15-2014, 04:36 PM
Talk to Nick in kelowna, he carries it in stock.
ashr
03-17-2014, 06:53 PM
You're welcome. :)

You didn't mention a value for Mg, so I assumed you don't test for it. It is a very important part of dosing. Which test kits are you using for each test anyway? How old are they? How do you test SG?

Whoops, did I forget it? Its around 1350-1400. I also dose this.

I have bought some Red Sea N03-P04-x as I have heard some good things about this. Any thoughts on the product? I have not started it yet.


My SG is now at 1.026.
Magickiwi
03-17-2014, 08:04 PM
Whoops, did I forget it? Its around 1350-1400. I also dose this.

I have bought some Red Sea N03-P04-x as I have heard some good things about this. Any thoughts on the product? I have not started it yet.


My SG is now at 1.026.

I've used N03:PO4x and it didn't do much to lower my phosphate levels. It did irritate my LPS to a degree but fish and SPS didn't seem to mind.
ashr
03-17-2014, 08:24 PM
I've used N03:PO4x and it didn't do much to lower my phosphate levels. It did irritate my LPS to a degree but fish and SPS didn't seem to mind.

Interesting. So the LPS just didnt open as much etc?
ashr
03-21-2014, 06:26 AM
Bumpp for fresh eyes :)
NIVLEM09
03-21-2014, 06:55 AM
Bumpp for fresh eyes :)
How's the tank doing?has the PO4 been lowered?
ashr
03-22-2014, 12:55 AM
well not that great. I have started slowly dosing N03-P04-X but my Phos has gone up to 0.36. Soooo I dont know. It's only been 3 days or so.


I may stop dosing it if it nothing changes.
NIVLEM09
03-22-2014, 10:08 AM
Have you tried prodibio?i have a small tank and it works wonders for me and I only dose bioptim and bio-digest every two weeks.i
Spud
03-22-2014, 12:12 PM
I have used a media called PO4x4.It works great.To great even if you dont start slow.I used it in a tlf reactor.I highly recommend this product.
http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy110/Spudruner/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0201.jpg (http://s782.photobucket.com/user/Spudruner/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0201.jpg.html)
ashr
03-22-2014, 07:05 PM
I have used a media called PO4x4.It works great.To great even if you dont start slow.I used it in a tlf reactor.I highly recommend this product.
http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy110/Spudruner/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0201.jpg (http://s782.photobucket.com/user/Spudruner/media/Mobile%20Uploads/DSC_0201.jpg.html)

Thanks for the info all

I will keep checking these products out and see what works :)