high Phosphates, should i care?

[zheka757]

Got a large mix reef tank, my phosphate has being usually on high side .3-.4 range. since everything was growing good. like sps. and especially lps. I would say out of 30 different acropora about 5 don't look to happy with no PE. I do have a large explosion of bubble algae in my frag tank that's tight up to main system. other then that no algae outbreak that I want to worry about. my 8 tangs take care of all algae in my display.
Anyways after not testing phosphate for couple month, decided to test it last night. the reading was .92
Here is pictures from today

 

[Lavey29]

Certainly elevated but if the tank is thriving I would be inclined to let it do it's thing. You can reduce phosphate by cutting back the import. No pellet food, minimal coral supplements, etc... phosguard is good also to walk the phosphate number down slowly.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I have 2 bags in my sump with GFO mixed with carbon and change one bag every 2 weeks. Phosphate generally stays below .1

Nice looking in wall tank.

 

[BryanM]

With so much mixed information about phos it is hard to just look at theh tank and go with your gut.

I run right now at .3, and I'm not trying to lower it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Just be sure if you try to lower phosphate, you go VERY slow.

IMO, more folks cause problems lowering phosphate too fast than solve them.