my phosphorus is 105ppb

[reefmaster70]

Hey all, So my little 20g Nuvo tank is chugging along nicely. Fish are good, all the corals are thriving and expanding, and my BTA is happy and getting bigger. I check my water chemistry quite often, as I like knowing where all the levels are every 2 days or so. I know some don't test that much, but it makes me happy. Anyway, I am just not 100% happy with my Phosphorus level. I am using a Hanna ULR checker, and my reading today was 105ppb (that's .32ppm phosphate). I know that's considered high, but I am not having any weird algae pop up, and all my corals look happy. Should I still shoot for lowering this, or leave well enough alone? Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It’s ok, IMO.

Randy’s Thoughts on Nutrient Target Ranges

Thoughts on Nutrient Target Ranges by Randy Holmes-Farley Almost nothing in the world of reef aquarium chemistry causes as much discussion as selecting and maintaining ranges for nitrate and phosphate. Some aquarists want low targets, some want...

www.reef2reef.com

4. What targets seem reasonable? Of course, that depends on all the other factors at play, such as types of corals, availability of ammonia, particulate foods, etc. However, for a mature mixed reef, this would be how I personally would run it:

• Let nitrate float between 5 ppm and 50 ppm. I’d use gentle export in this range, such as growing macroalgae.
• Above 50 ppm, I’d begin to focus more on reducing it, by organic carbon dosing, turf or macroalgae, etc.
• Below 5 ppm, I’d begin to dose ammonia or feed more. The target level might drop lower if dosing ammonia, just like the heavy in/heavy out scenario where nitrate may not be as needed.
• Let phosphate float between about 0.06 ppm and 0.3 ppm. This range is higher than I’ve recommended in the past. I’d use gentle export in this range, such as growing macroalgae.
• Above about 0.3 ppm, I’d begin to focus more on reducing it, by turf or macroalgae, or a binder such as GFO or lanthanum (has its own risks to tangs). If a binder: GO SLOW. Turf and macroalgae will typically be slow enough.
• Below 0.06 ppm, I’d begin to dose sodium phosphate or feed more to get the level up.

 

[Reef.]

Hey all, So my little 20g Nuvo tank is chugging along nicely. Fish are good, all the corals are thriving and expanding, and my BTA is happy and getting bigger. I check my water chemistry quite often, as I like knowing where all the levels are every 2 days or so. I know some don't test that much, but it makes me happy. Anyway, I am just not 100% happy with my Phosphorus level. I am using a Hanna ULR checker, and my reading today was 105ppb (that's .32ppm phosphate). I know that's considered high, but I am not having any weird algae pop up, and all my corals look happy. Should I still shoot for lowering this, or leave well enough alone? Thanks

Think people are starting to rethink the previous po4 recommendations 0.03-0.1, even Randy has adjusted his recommendation, think he now suggests intervention is only needed when above 0.5.

If all is well why would you try and fix something that isn’t broken.

Edit he beat me by 5 seconds lol