Phosphate can't lower below 0.9

[Philbou]

Weeks ago, my phosphate level jumped to 0.5. I switched to a different food source (LRS) a few weeks ago. I managed to bring it down to 0.09 using phosphate E. According to the instructions, I should multiply the Tank size by the percentage decrease in ppm and then multiply by 0.25. Now, I can't lower the phosphate level below 0.09. I’m a bit concerned about increasing the amount of phosphate E. Nano Mat works well as a skimmer as well. Do you have any thoughts or recommendations? By the way, I change the water every week by 10% and cut the feeding quantity.

 

[Garf]

Weeks ago, my phosphate level jumped to 0.5. I switched to a different food source (LRS) a few weeks ago. I managed to bring it down to 0.09 using phosphate E. According to the instructions, I should multiply the Tank size by the percentage decrease in ppm and then multiply by 0.25. Now, I can't lower the phosphate level below 0.09. I’m a bit concerned about increasing the amount of phosphate E. Nano Mat works well as a skimmer as well. Do you have any thoughts or recommendations? By the way, I change the water every week by 10% and cut the feeding quantity.

Why do you want it lower than 0.09? [You've written 0.9 in the title by the way]

 

[Philbou]

Why do you want it lower than 0.09? [You've written 0.9 in the title by the way]

thanks, good catch, Can't find the way to edit and make a change to 0.09

 

[Fish Fan]

thanks, good catch, Can't find the way to edit and make a change to 0.09

That's less of a problem

@Garf was asking why do you feel that your phosphate needs to be bellow 0.09 ppm? A lot of R2R members run higher without issues

 

[Skippy The Meh]

If your using a hannah tester, they max out at .9, your likely higher and coming back into range.

 

[Skippy The Meh]

If your using a hannah tester, they max out at .9, your likely higher and coming back into range.

Just read the above jkjk

 

[mcarroll]

yeah, I wold stop trying to mess with the phosphate level....and don't worry so much about that number if the tank seems to be doing well.

You do want to see some kind of balance with NO3 though....if NO3 has zero'd out then PO4 might stop being used, then you would see accumulation of PO4 that you don't want (because it's not being used.)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

My recommended phosphate range is about 0.05 to 0.3 ppm, and above it is still likely fine.