Phosphate Advice

[Myka]

5 ppm?! What brand test kit are you using? Have you checked the expiry date? What kind of algae is on your sand?

Some of the information in here is geared towards lowering phosphates: http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=44473

[martinmcnally]

Some good advice in that thread. Using a Nutrafin kit i just got today. Its not expired. Also tested again and same result. I think the algae is slime. I have some growing on the back glass but, i figured only because I dont swipe it with the magnet.

I will do some water changes and run some rowaphos to see what I can do.

Martin

[Floop70]

I didn't have a big phosphate problem but when I added Chemi Pure Elite to my filter it dropped to 0 and has stayed there.

[martinmcnally]

Phosphate now dropping, thanks guys. Interestingly I tested some freshly mixed salt water (Red Sea) and it was showing 0.5 ppm for phosphate despite the RO/DI water reading zero. Is that normal?

I was going to switch salt anyways.
Martin

[kwirky]

yeah if a salt says "phosphate free" they're lying because all salt mixes have trace amounts of phosphates.

[PoonTang]

Also, Nutrifin test kits are nutoriously innacurate. Use a good brand like Elios, Salifert, or Aquarium Pharmaseuticals