high phosphate in new tank before even cycling

[dave48]

just setting up a new 5 ft tank for soft coral/lps and prior to cycling I tested all the parameters so I had a baseline to work from.
All fine except high phosphate at 0.6
I used dry rock, dry substrate etc so very surprised at that level. I have tested my RO filtered water and it shows zero as it should.
As no biological matter had been introduced I can only surmise it has leached out of the rocks or substrate.
Im hoping Its a one off and I can get rid of the Po4 with some thing like rowa phos? Is that the best option?

 

[Spare time]

Was the rock previously used?

 

[dave48]

Was the rock previously used?

Some of the rock was from a previous tank but it was thoroughly washed, bleached, washed again and air dried.
The rest was bought new and unused. The substrate is TMC ecosand which did cloud the water and took a long time to clear with the help of some seachem clarity.

 

[Spare time]

Some of the rock was from a previous tank but it was thoroughly washed, bleached, washed again and air dried.
The rest was bought new and unused. The substrate is TMC ecosand which did cloud the water and took a long time to clear with the help of some seachem clarity.

It could be releasing phosphate bound the the rock from before. I'd just throw a bit of gfo in a bag into the filter or sump (sock) and let that take it down.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Some new dead rock can also have a lot of phosphate on it.

Marco rock questions/problems

Hi A couple years ago i purchased a bunch of dry reefsaver rock and threw it in a new tank with any cooking cleaning or curing other than rinsing it to get the dust off it. Its been a real struggle since the beginning, major diatoms, hair algae like no other and finally some sort of sludgy...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[dave48]

Do I need to go to the expense of a reactor for the GFO or will a bag in the sump work OK.
I can see putting it in the filter sock would subject it to a decent flow so that sounds good - thanks spare time

 

[Spare time]

Do I need to go to the expense of a reactor for the GFO or will a bag in the sump work OK.
I can see putting it in the filter sock would subject it to a decent flow so that sounds good - thanks spare time

Eh I think its fine in a very fine mesh bag for this purpose. That is what I do if my phosphates creep up for whatever reason or I overdose phosphate.

 

[Poseidon03]

Eh I think its fine in a very fine mesh bag for this purpose. That is what I do if my phosphates creep up for whatever reason or I overdose phosphate.

Yeah, I agree with the fine mesh bag. You want something that will continually take it out and you don't really need to hit it too hard since you are starting your cycle. I'd also keep your lights off.

 

[dave48]

many thanks for the replies I will try a bag of rowa phos

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'd also consider lanthanum for stripping rock, especially for doing it in a brute can. Much cheaper than GFO.

 

[dave48]

I'd also consider lanthanum for stripping rock, especially for doing it in a brute can. Much cheaper than GFO.

sorry randy whats a brute can?

 

[bushdoc]

 

[dave48]

 

[dave48]

Thanks!
I think here in the UK we would call it a plastic bucket