How to manage Phosphates

[SaltyCrew4u]

My 36 gallon is just over a year old and I keep running into issue after issue. I'm seeing a common denominator... Phosphate. It's either 0.00 or as high as 0.89 or 0.018. It's all over the place. I have to dose NeoPhos usually and NeoNitro. How do you guys manage to keep your phos at the perfect .02-.05 level? If I stick to just feeding my levels would be close to .00 unless I feed pellets/reefroids. Below are my current readings. I removed skimmer and only use my HOB. I'll test phos tomorrow because I treated my tank with interceptor. Long story short, that was the last water change needed. Is there some magical method?

Phos: .05 12/16/24
Alk: 8.0 12/17/24
Ammonia: .05 12/15/24
Mag: 1360 12/16/24
Calcium: 450 12/16/24
Nitrate: 7.9 PPM 12/16/24
PH: 8.6 12/16/24
Salinity: 1.025

 

[exnisstech]

I had no idea .02-.05 was the perfect level. TBO I don't think there is a perfect level This tank ran P04 at 0.25-0.45

This tank runs at or near 0. When I see 0 I just dose. I just use a diy additive made with loudwolf trisodium phosphate. It cheap and easy.

How are you testing? I've never had wild swings on any tank like you are experiencing.

 

[Cool tangs]

Are you doing the calculations correctly when adding the phosphates and nitrates? Do smaller doses and test regularly until you've tuned in the dosing rates. Phosphates for me are not perfect at all and fluctuate from .1 to .35 regularly with no real visible issues. I wish I could dial my phosphates in as well, but my issue is the opposite. I'm battling to remove phosphates and constantly on a balancing act

 

[X-37B]

I feed heavy, and control po4 with phosgaurd. When po4 climbs above 0.1 I add 1/2 cup to the overflow area. Po4 will go down to around .03-.05 in my 150 total g system.
On my 2 smaller systems, 35 and 50 I do the same but with a much smaller amount like a few tablespoons.
All my systems employ live rock. I have never done a dead rock system.

 

[SaltyCrew4u]

I had no idea .02-.05 was the perfect level. TBO I don't think there is a perfect level This tank ran P04 at 0.25-0.45

This tank runs at or near 0. When I see 0 I just dose. I just use a diy additive made with loudwolf trisodium phosphate. It cheap and easy.

How are you testing? I've never had wild swings on any tank like you are experiencing.

All my test kits are hanna except for magnesium & calcium. I lost my grail and two hammers about a month ago. My Zoas should be covering my rocks by now. The only corals that have been solid since day one is my mushroom, maxima and encrusting monti.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would not be sure the phosphate was an issue unless it stayed at zero for a few days or longer, but I'd feed more or dose more if it ever hits zero 24 h after dosing.