Phosphate level

[scotty333]

Guys,
Where do you like your phosphate level and why

 

[UMALUM]

Currently sitting at 0.043 but after looking at some pictures from last year will probably let it float back to 0.1 - 0.2.

 

[exnisstech]

Tested 3 tanks today
Tank one 0.07
Tank two 0.09
Tank three 0.7 (not 0.07)
I like to keep mine where ever it settles naturally as long as the tank looks good. Its one less thing for me to fuss over. I will dose if I see zero but that hasn't happened in months.

 

[Fish Fan]

I tend to follow the recommendations from RHF. Here's a link to his article on nutrient target ranges:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/article-thoughts-on-nutrient-target-ranges.1095268/
I hope that helps!

 

[BetterJake]

I like to keep phosphate around 0.1–0.2 ppm. Honestly, anything above zero is fine, stability matters more than chasing a number. I keep mine slightly elevated as a buffer, if numbers dip, there are still nutrients in the tank. With ultra-low or lower phosphate you risk bottoming out completely in that scenario, and all the problems that can follow.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Below 2.0? I dunno!

Over a ~25 year span the phosphate in my system has been all over the map. Even when it was off the chart high, I am not sure that it was a problem. I mean to say, that I had problems but I am not sure that they were a direct result of phosphate alone. My dosing back then was sporadic at best. I had ATS and Refugia and tons of chemical warfare, etc. There were a lot of variables.

 

[Garf]

Guys,
Where do you like your phosphate level and why

I've been playing with phosphate for a couple of years. Admittedly I don't have expensive corals but I've seen nothing detrimental from 0.15 to 0.6. Currently at 0.4 but using DIY removal media and lanthanum (not in tank) and seeing the sludge that is produced, I'm glad I'm not doing it in tank.

 

[CHSUB]

Mine is mostly around .00 to .03 as I like to imitate nature, however I don’t do anything special to maintain low numbers besides maintenance and WC. I feed controlled and directly to corals and fish daily with nothing wasted. I’ve had tanks run much higher, > .5 ppm, without issues despite using po4 absorbing media. However, I was a less skilled hobbyist and over fed.

 

[Gregg @ ADP]

As long as I don’t have algae growing all over the place and brown corals, I don’t worry or think too much about PO4

 

[Garf]

Below 2.0? I dunno!

Over a ~25 year span the phosphate in my system has been all over the map. Even when it was off the chart high, I am not sure that it was a problem. I mean to say, that I had problems but I am not sure that they were a direct result of phosphate alone. My dosing back then was sporadic at best. I had ATS and Refugia and tons of chemical warfare, etc. There were a lot of variables.

Do you not check now? I'm making minimal effort, personally.

However, I was a less skilled hobbyist and over fed.

Is this just not a fishy fatness/quantity/coral ratio?

 

[CHSUB]

Is this just not a fishy fatness/quantity/coral ratio?

Yes, I agree, that is a large part..however, I don’t just toss food in like I did in the past. I turn off all flow and insure all food is eaten. I also don’t let algae or detritus accumulate, I immediately remove. Goes a long way in keeping nutrients low, imo.

 

[Seansea]

Prefer 0.1-0.2 but sittinv at .6 right now. Used lanthunum previously to keep it low but had mystrious fish deaths and im pretty sure thats what did it. Tried using rowasphos but even using large amounts barely knocked it down and was expensive. I have a mixxed reef and the lps and softies dont mind it that high but i find acros tend to dim in colors or even die at this high phos.

Disclaimer i also have alot of fish and feed heavy. Also not overly concerned right now because im about to upgrade tanks or i would put more effort into lowerin g it

 

[Garf]

Yes, I agree, that is a large part..however, I don’t just toss food in like I did in the past. I turn off all flow and insure all food is eaten. I also don’t let algae or detritus accumulate, I immediately remove. Goes a long way in keeping nutrients low, imo.

I'm of a small band that think slightly obese fish is good. Let's deal with the implications of N and P separately, as a side effect. It just happens that coral don't seem to care, in my little tank.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Do you not check now? I'm making minimal effort, personally.

I had been when the ReefBot was still plugged in. It has been offline and i have not checked in a few months. Maybe I should. That said, I am not sure what I would do regardless of the reading -- If it came back high (whatever that is) maybe toss in a bag of ChemiPure with its minimal GFO. If it was low or zero, shrugh? I can't fathom doing anything more.

 

[Garf]

I had been when the ReefBot was still plugged in. It has been offline and i have not checked in a few months. Maybe I should. That said, I am not sure what I would do regardless of the reading -- If it came back high (whatever that is) maybe toss in a bag of ChemiPure with its minimal GFO. If it was low or zero, shrugh? I can't fathom doing anything more.

Go on, tell us a number.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Go on, tell us a number.

Honestly. I don't know what number would trigger a reaction. I suppose I would consider reducing some number if coral start to look bad and/or excessive nuisance algae started to grow. Zero or close is not something I have ever worried about raising. I may feed more but would likely not dose N or P directly. Maybe phyto?

 

[Garf]

Maybe phyto?

I have a problem with hobby phyto cultures, to be honest.

 

[JonoH]

0.22 at the moment.
Generally anywhere between 0.1-0.2 though is where it sits naturally.
I do run a reactor with Rowaphos, but sometimes i dont think its doing a whole lot!

Been trying to trap one of my fish at the moment, so been chucking in more food and nori than i normally would.

 

[Reefering1]

I have a problem with hobby phyto cultures, to be honest.

Please elaborate...

 

[Garf]

Please elaborate...

I think it likely that splitting cultures can easily contaminate them and folk grow stuff that isn't the desired organism. I don't know how often reefers restart cultures from pure (ish) sources, if ever.