Issue with Phosphates

[Dami2205]

I have a thing with PO4 here is some details its a new set up I was using Red Sea tester and my reading as per the color I think it was read
NO3= 15
PO4= .03

Then I got the Hanna checker for NO3 and PO4 to stop guessing the colors and my reading were (this was on July 11th) No Algae blum since I notice it was rising I got Pom pom algea to consume some of the high nutrients and avoid algae blum.
NO3= 7.8
PO4= .11

Then on July 13th I put some GFO (fluval) on my carbon reactor, I was not happy with this brand so I order ROA Phos (just arive today but my Phosphate reactor arrives Tuesday 21st July.
PO4= .20

Then on July 14th no algea and still no algae present. Put some more GFO on a mesh bag on my sock cup holder and cleaned the other sock and skimmer, not much there but still did it.
PO4= .24
I did perform a 20% water change and PO4 came to PO4= .13 and NO3= 7.0 nitrates did not came Down to much witch I wonder about this too.
Here I Also realize that my frozen food contents some Phosphorus .10 so I order new food and the new food I drain it before I put it in. I thought this would work.

Then on July 16th the PO4= .15 this day by noon arrived the new fish food still keep draining the frozen misis (all of the food has been Misis Shrimp)

Today July 18th PO= .11 first reading I had some trouble with the checker then a ran it again and read .16 then I ran another one and read .19 and like I said no algea blum water is very clear I do start to show diatoms since its a new dry system and this are my actual readings for today.

PO4 = .15 I did an average since the 3 diferentes readings I got
NO3= 5.2 (wonder why this is getting lower need some thoughts)
KH= 10
CA= 425
MG= 1380

I order the first batch of corals softies to help consume PO4 (2 Zoas, 1 fire polips and 1 Duncan) I dont want to chase Numbers but I dont see any correlation with Nitrates and Phosphates nitrates should be high as well I think but as you see nitrates are coming Down and Phosphates are going up a little from .13 to .15 that is if I dont take the last reading I got of the 3 I made today if not then should be .19. Something is not right. Any thoughts??

 

[allof fish]

I have a thing with PO4 here is some details its a new set up I was using Red Sea tester and my reading as per the color I think it was read
NO3= 15
PO4= .03

Then I got the Hanna checker for NO3 and PO4 to stop guessing the colors and my reading were (this was on July 11th) No Algae blum since I notice it was rising I got Pom pom algea to consume some of the high nutrients and avoid algae blum.
NO3= 7.8
PO4= .11

Then on July 13th I put some GFO (fluval) on my carbon reactor, I was not happy with this brand so I order ROA Phos (just arive today but my Phosphate reactor arrives Tuesday 21st July.
PO4= .20

Then on July 14th no algea and still no algae present. Put some more GFO on a mesh bag on my sock cup holder and cleaned the other sock and skimmer, not much there but still did it.
PO4= .24
I did perform a 20% water change and PO4 came to PO4= .13 and NO3= 7.0 nitrates did not came Down to much witch I wonder about this too.
Here I Also realize that my frozen food contents some Phosphorus .10 so I order new food and the new food I drain it before I put it in. I thought this would work.

Then on July 16th the PO4= .15 this day by noon arrived the new fish food still keep draining the frozen misis (all of the food has been Misis Shrimp)

Today July 18th PO= .11 first reading I had some trouble with the checker then a ran it again and read .16 then I ran another one and read .19 and like I said no algea blum water is very clear I do start to show diatoms since its a new dry system and this are my actual readings for today.

PO4 = .15 I did an average since the 3 diferentes readings I got
NO3= 5.2 (wonder why this is getting lower need some thoughts)
KH= 10
CA= 425
MG= 1380

I order the first batch of corals softies to help consume PO4 (2 Zoas, 1 fire polips and 1 Duncan) I dont want to chase Numbers but I dont see any correlation with Nitrates and Phosphates nitrates should be high as well I think but as you see nitrates are coming Down and Phosphates are going up a little from .13 to .15 that is if I dont take the last reading I got of the 3 I made today if not then should be .19. Something is not right. Any thoughts??

Too me sounds like your chasing numbers. I wouldn’t be concerned with the numbers especially if a newer tank. Did you start with dry rock? The rock will leach phosphates and they can be unstable for a long time. I would read your corals first they always tell you. No need to add gfo or anything like that. Those corals will suck some up. Just look at the ratio of nitrates and phosphate. If you feed heavier then either feed less or export more. Everything is a balance just have to find the middle ground

 

[Peer.Boerner]

I use Rowaphos and it’s very powerful. If you are using in a reactor, it’s even more so. Follow the directions and be patient. The phosphate will go down, believe me. Keep in mind as the phos goes down, any phosphate absorbed in the rock and sand will leach out so your phosphate may look like it’s not going down… rest assured it’s getting absorbed. Your numbers aren’t bad for a new tank. I’d just test each week and stay the course. I wish you all the best!!!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The values you mention are ALL within my recommended target ranges so I would not use GFO at the moment.

 

[KrisReef]

Hanna Checkers are very sensitive and easy to use once you get to a solid process to get repeatable results.

I recommend triple rinsing the test vials with RODI water and then storing them filled with RODI water to prevent stains and water spots on the optically clear glass bottles.

I use a 10 mm syringe to fill the bottles and I use the built in timer and a phone timer to insure that the test mixing, swirling and 3 minute color development period (for phosphorus tester) are consistent. Phosphorus test is supposed to take 5 minutes of wet reagent time for proper color development !

Between tests, I triple rinse before each test, or storage fill. Wipe the exterior glass bottles to remove fingerprints, or dirt & moisture that can interfere with the meters light source that reads the sample color changes. HTH.