Newbie with High Phosphates

[jastott]

Hi there, my name is Jody, I am brand new to SaltWater and have completely fallen down the reefing rabbit hole! What was suppose to be a birthday present for our twin 9 year old girls has turned into our very first Saltwater adventure! I have a month old UNS 90la dual AIO. Stocked with two clowns, a springer damsel, fire fish, three hermit crabs, 2 conches, and a peppermint shrimp.
I just put in my first corals, a hammer, clove polyp and some gsp. All seem to be happy and healthy. I’m running chemi pure elite to bring my phosphate levels down, currently at 0.3 down from 0.48. My LFS sated .2-.4 but from all mybotherbresearchbtjisblooksnto be way to high..I really am trying not to over feed, my LFS thinks my phosphates could also be high as I used all live rock and sand? Do I need to do bigger water changes weekly than the 10%. I really appreciate all the advise available on R2R, happy reefing!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[B&CinB.C.]

Hello Jody . Welcome to Reef 2 Reef

 

[Psyduck]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R! Don't chase numbers too much especially if everything seems happy and healthy. Take it slow :)

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[Buckster]

Hello Jody and Welcome to R2R! I don't chase numbers and I do a 20% water change every two weeks. If everything seems healthy then I would leave things alone.

 

[Brisk]

Welcome!

 

[zusima]

Chemi pure elite barely brings po4 down from my experience. I don't think your high for LPS. I battled chasing po4 numbers and turns out I just needed to rinse food, stop broadcasting reef roids and let the cycle happen. What's your nitrate level and age of tank? Sps is where you want the levels lower.

 

[1112-425XL]

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome Jodi, glad you are here!

 

[Gman83]

Welcome!

 

[Ocean_Queenie]

Hello & Welcome Jody!

 

[jastott]

Chemi pure elite barely brings po4 down from my experience. I don't think your high for LPS. I battled chasing po4 numbers and turns out I just needed to rinse food, stop broadcasting reef roids and let the cycle happen. What's your nitrate level and age of tank? Sps is where you want the levels lower.

Hi, thanks for your reply. My nitrates are around 5 ppm. The tank is just over 1 month old… I haven’t added any coral food, also my alk is at 7 but hasn’t moved since adding the corals. My next thing is to get a calcium and mag checker but wasn’t sure if I should be addressing my phosphate levels more aggressively? Greatly appreciate your response!

 

[zusima]

Hi, thanks for your reply. My nitrates are around 5 ppm. The tank is just over 1 month old… I haven’t added any coral food, also my alk is at 7 but hasn’t moved since adding the corals. My next thing is to get a calcium and mag checker but wasn’t sure if I should be addressing my phosphate levels more aggressively? Greatly appreciate your response!

1 month old your going to go from low to very high to balanced. Don't chase just let it naturally do it's thing. I wouldn't add to much for another 3 months then sps I'm a year if your interested. Your tank is breaking in for 6 months basically. My po4 was all over the place for first 6 months so don't stress like I did...

 

[zheka757]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[RockRash]

 

[jastott]

1 month old your going to go from low to very high to balanced. Don't chase just let it naturally do it's thing. I wouldn't add to much for another 3 months then sps I'm a year if your interested. Your tank is breaking in for 6 months basically. My po4 was all over the place for first 6 months so don't stress like I did...

Oh this is so helpful! Thank you!! I was stressing