Consistently high phosphates - Found my issue?

[de312]

Hello all, I have my first reef tank, an IM Nuvo 20 I set up 3 months ago.

All has been going well besides relatively high Phosphates. I have been doing weekly 5 gallon water changes, and had to dose Phos-E regularly. I also tried chemipure.

I "think" I found my issue. Coming from freshwater, I am very used to using biomedia in my filter. When I set up the AIO I added multiple bags packed with Seachem Matrix Biomedia. Upon inspecting my AIO chamber I noticed the biomedia was super dirty with detritus. Could the bags of dirty media be causing more harm than good?

I am okay with removing the biomedia bags right? The sand and rockwork will house the beneficial bacteria?

Thanks!

 

[Fish Fan]

Your tank looks very good, so I wouldn't worry about the phosphate too much

I don't think the phosphate is coming from your biomedia, but you can safely slowly remove it and see if it helps. Your rock and sand should be plenty of biofiltration.

I think it's likely that the phosphate is coming from your rocks. Phosphate can bind to and then be released by rock. It can take some time before this balances out, and in the short-term this can cause elevated phosphate.

I hope that helps!

 

[de312]

Your tank looks very good, so I wouldn't worry about the phosphate too much

I don't think the phosphate is coming from your biomedia, but you can safely slowly remove it and see if it helps. Your rock and sand should be plenty of biofiltration.

I think it's likely that the phosphate is coming from your rocks. Phosphate can bid to and then be released by rock. It can take some time before this balances out, and in the short-term this can cause elevated phosphate.

I hope that helps!

Thank you for the insight. The corals and fish dont seem effected by the elevated phosphates.

 

[Project1004]

Many of us come from freshwater and dabbled into saltwater as well.

But we also learn realize how important to have a routine and keep things table is key to success. It’s not like freshwater tank.

I would remand you to simply wash the matrix in a fresh saltwater and put in the bag and put it back in the back compartments. And keep it clean. It’s like a toilet back there. You tank being so new, and having them from the beginning, it’s going to cause more harm than good from moving em. Consider removing them once your tank is matured enough and at that point you can remove em. 20G is small tank and you will likely see phospahte go up if you remove them. Currently it’s probably not as effective. Just give it a good clean and put it back. Dirty compartments in a small tank definitely not something to leave.

 

[BryanM]

Hello all, I have my first reef tank, an IM Nuvo 20 I set up 3 months ago.

All has been going well besides relatively high Phosphates. I have been doing weekly 5 gallon water changes, and had to dose Phos-E regularly. I also tried chemipure.

I "think" I found my issue. Coming from freshwater, I am very used to using biomedia in my filter. When I set up the AIO I added multiple bags packed with Seachem Matrix Biomedia. Upon inspecting my AIO chamber I noticed the biomedia was super dirty with detritus. Could the bags of dirty media be causing more harm than good?

I am okay with removing the biomedia bags right? The sand and rockwork will house the beneficial bacteria?

Thanks!

I would also say you seem to have it corrected well, and I would just try to maintain this .1-.3 number.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thank you for the insight. The corals and fish dont seem effected by the elevated phosphates.

You value is within my recommended target range and I would not call it high. :)