Parameters Question

[Sharkbait19]

Hi,
I finally upgraded from API to Salifert to get an accurate water reading, especially after the death of my cleaner shrimp and bubble tip anemone (which I think had more to do with flow, but I wanted to be sure). While some parameters were in the ideal range, others were WAAAY off! So I decided to ask for some recommendations on how to adjust certain parameters. The one that is most alarming to me is the phosphates. When I used API, I figured that this high number was related to the wildly inaccurate test kits, but now that salifert is reading a similar result, I’m not sure why it is like this. Maybe I tested wrong?? I double, triple checked the instructions…

Salinity: 1.024
Calc: 480 ppm
Mag: 1500 ppm
Alk: 10.9 dkh
Nitrates: 10 ppm
Phosphates: 1 ppm (no, this isn’t a typo)
pH: 8.15

The water volume is 40 gallons and my water change schedule is 15% per week. The only fish currently in there is a shrimpgoby, and there is a wide variety of lps and soft corals, all thriving. Most algae growth is green film algae and occasionally diatoms. As far as salt goes, I’ve always used InstantOcean Reef Crystals, mixing the proper amounts during water changes.

 

[Sean Clark]

Are you feeding any coral foods like reef roids? They have been known to be high in phosphate.

 

[GillMeister]

Your calcium and alk levels seem a little on the high end. Watch for precipitation.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Never seen phosphates that high before. Are you using any mechanical filtration?

 

[Sharkbait19]

Are you feeding any coral foods like reef roids? They have been known to be high in phosphate.

I only recently began feeding reefroids, and even then only feed once a week.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Never seen phosphates that high before. Are you using any mechanical filtration?

My current filtration is the Seachem tidal 55. It’s feels a downgrade from my previous tank’s (Fluval 13.5) sump filter, but I’ve heard great reviews about it. I have activated carbon in there at the moment along with some bio balls for bacteria. I ran out of filter floss but have already ordered some more and am awaiting delivery. Should I buy something like Seachem phosguard or avoid adding anything (and instead continue routine maintenance) if the corals and fish are happy and healthy?

 

[NowGlazeIT]

My current filtration is the Seachem tidal 55. It’s feels a downgrade from my previous tank’s (Fluval 13.5) sump filter, but I’ve heard great reviews about it. I have activated carbon in there at the moment along with some bio balls for bacteria. I ran out of filter floss but have already ordered some more and am awaiting delivery. Should I buy something like Seachem phosguard or avoid adding anything (and instead continue routine maintenance) if the corals and fish are happy and healthy?

If everything is happy then I wouldn’t worry too much about the numbers. But if you wanted to go down that road I wouldn’t advise phosgaurd just yet. I would add nitrate and then bring both down together. I’ve done this using carbon dosing. It takes awhile but I like that about it.

 

[Lavey29]

I only recently began feeding reefroids, and even then only feed once a week.

This stuff sky rockets phosphate in my tank.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

or just add some gfo inside a media bag to your filter.
High capacity gfo doesn’t clog east because it’s more dense

 

[threebuoys]

Are you by chance comparing the color to the chart from the side instead of from the top? I made this mistake once using salifert for nitrates and my heart skipped a beat.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Are you by chance comparing the color to the chart from the side instead of from the top? I made this mistake once using salifert for nitrates and my heart skipped a beat.

I’ve checked it both ways, didn’t seem to make a huge difference.