Phosphate control

[Jup_adr]

I tested my phosphate today with Hanna. Test result came back with a 0.05. Would this be considered on the higher end ? I do have a bag of chemi-pure elite in the aquarium. Would a simple Water change help reduce it ?

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

Really depends on the corals you are keeping. In a sps system .05 is personally the lowest I feel comfortable going, ideally Id rather see phosphate around .1.

But for a softy/lps system I would aim for .1 - .2 range, many successful reef tanks out there running higher but pick a range that works for you and your corals and keep it steady in that range.

 

[Jup_adr]

Really depends on the corals you are keeping. In a sps system .05 is personally the lowest I feel comfortable going, ideally Id rather see phosphate around .1.

But for a softy/lps system I would aim for .1 - .2 range, many successful reef tanks out there running higher but pick a range that works for you and your corals and keep it steady in that range.

I have softy/lps reef . I have noticed slow growth and some corals not being happy at times .

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

I have softy/lps reef . I have noticed slow growth and some corals not being happy at times .

With a lower phosphate range I could see them not being happy, I would allow your nutrients to increase and find that happy place for your corals. When you find that happy medium then shoot to keep it in that range

 

[gbroadbridge]

I tested my phosphate today with Hanna. Test result came back with a 0.05. Would this be considered on the higher end ? I do have a bag of chemi-pure elite in the aquarium. Would a simple Water change help reduce it ?

I would not go below 0.05.

Keep in mind the accuracy of the Hanna is +/- 0.03ppm, so you are potentially getting too close to zero for comfort.

 

[Jup_adr]

I would not go below 0.05.

Keep in mind the accuracy of the Hanna is +/- 0.03ppm, so you are potentially getting too close to zero for comfort.

So my guess is something else might be the problem then on why some corals aren’t so happy.

 

[gbroadbridge]

So my guess is something else might be the problem then on why some corals aren’t so happy.

Lighting or flow would be my guess.

What's your nitrate level? - you should be aiming for around 10ppm but higher is fine.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

So my guess is something else might be the problem then on why some corals aren’t so happy.

The main things to make corals happy and thrive are lighting, flow, and nutrients. If you have nutrients in the water then its usually either lighting or flow. Share some details....

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I tested my phosphate today with Hanna. Test result came back with a 0.05. Would this be considered on the higher end ? I do have a bag of chemi-pure elite in the aquarium. Would a simple Water change help reduce it ?

It is below my target range of 0.06 to 0.3 ppm

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.

 

[FernBluffReef]

I tested my phosphate today with Hanna. Test result came back with a 0.05. Would this be considered on the higher end ? I do have a bag of chemi-pure elite in the aquarium. Would a simple Water change help reduce it ?

.05 is as low as I would go. I look for .05-.1 and any lower my corals get mad.