Phosphate rock?

tmccaff · Oct 28, 2022

I have been running my tank for almost 2 years now and my phosphates always high. They are at 0.120ppm at moment and Nitrate at 10ppm. If I add actual live rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater would this help with issue or make it worse? I am dosing Red Sea NO3

O4-X and dosing 6ml per day. My tank is 60 gallons by the way.

AydenLincoln · Oct 28, 2022

This isn’t an emergency. But if your tank is not showing signs of distress, algae, etc. I’d say it’s fine and nitrate is fine too. Live rock is always good just make sure to cure it. Please be careful with the NOPOX I overdosed by accident and almost killed my entire tank.

vetteguy53081 · Oct 28, 2022

tmccaff said:
I have been running my tank for almost 2 years now and my phosphates always high. They are at 0.120ppm at moment and Nitrate at 10ppm. If I add actual live rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater would this help with issue or make it worse? I am dosing Red Sea NO3O4-X and dosing 6ml per day. My tank is 60 gallons by the way.

While live rock will help. rock is generally not the reason for high phosphates but rather :
- Overfeeding
- lack of maintenance
- using salt mix high in phosphate
- Use of tap water opposed to RODI water
- something decaying in tank (food or feces)
- False readings - If you have high po4 and no algae- Should raise question

Some things to lower are :
Water changes
Macroalgae
Red Sea po4 reduce
Lessen Feedings and amounts
Add mechanical filtration
Add algae scrubber
Add limewater
Reduce lighting a little

__ Also. . . PLEASE REFRAIN from posting emergencies unless it truly is as it takes away from those in need of an immediate answer/assistance
An emergency would be . . someone losing fish or coral quickly, tank leak, electrical issue or other crisis