Phosphate confusion

[REEF_TO_KEEP]

From my research, the recommended level of phosphate of most reefers keep is from 0.03 to .1ppm. I have used reef roids to feed the coral and coral loved it with significant growth. Disadvantage of reef roids can cause a spike in phosphate with overused.

It seems to me one of the main ingredient of reef roids is phosphate which coral thrives on. My question is why keep a low phosphate level in the water?

 

[Mike1970]

high phosphate will cause corals and coralline algae to slow down the formation of calcium carbonate skeletons, which is actually a hindrance to their normal growth

 

[blecki]

You need to drink water to not die. Drinking too much water will kill you.

It is the same with phosphate and coral.

Anyway if you're feeding enough, have a refugium or algae growth, and are still reading 0 phosphate, you're fine. It just means it's being used.

 

[X-37B]

You really dont need to feed the corals, just feed the fish. No3 and po4 numbers are what your export system is not removing.
<0.1 po4 is a good place to be.
What alk level are you running?

 

[Miami Reef]

My question is why keep a low phosphate level in the water?

Better coloration IMO.

 

[REEF_TO_KEEP]

You really dont need to feed the corals, just feed the fish. No3 and po4 numbers are what your export system is not removing.
<0.1 po4 is a good place to be.
What alk level are you running?

Nitrate 15
Phosphate .0.8 to .13
Alk: 8 to 8.4

I never be able to keep stable phosphate by feeding reef roids/benepets.

I have skimmer, bio brick and live rock. Used to have filter socks but stopped using it

 

[X-37B]

Nitrate 15
Phosphate .0.8 to .13
Alk: 8 to 8.4

I never be able to keep stable phosphate by feeding reef roids/benepets.

I have skimmer, bio brick and live rock. Used to have filter socks but stopped using it

Filter socks will remove alot and help keep po4 down.
0.08-.13 is fine.
When my levels get above .1 I will add some po4 reducing media to bring it down.
On my 80/30 I feed the fish heavy and still have to dose 3ml of po4 daily to keep stable. If I dont it will bottom out in 2 days.

On my 45 I just checked po4 amd it was .135 so I changed out the phosgaurd. On this system I have to run a po4 reducer 24/7 to keep it below .1. Tanks looks no different at .05 my target and the current .13.

Phosphate is in all food. More so in dry food.
What is it with your po4 that you cant keep stable?
Bottoms out?
Gets to high?

Just noticed is your po4 numner .08 or .8. Big difference.
Any system pics?