Phosphates: Do you even EXPORT bro?

[revhtree]

Phosphates can be a pain the ole sump! Zero phosphates are no good but too much and you have a problem! Ewww algae! So let's talk today about how the masses are keeping phosphates under control!

1. Do you keep a steady eye on your phosphate levels?

2. What plan do you have in place, chemically, naturally or mechanically to export phosphates?

 

[Quietman]

Other than 10% weekly WC, I'm using NoPoX but seeing some limitations when nitrates are very low (3 ish) with my phosphates popping back up to .1-.2 ppm. Started adding Phosguard to see if that could help, but not exactly happy with that either so far. Giving it some time but also looking into perhaps Lanthanum Chloride for a more direct removal.

 

[Millimylilly]

I’m having such a hard time with phosphates. I have a 80watt uv unit that I think makes it so no algae can reproduce but when I test phosphates they are super high! Like 3ppm high... how do I get them down to appropriate levels???

 

[hyprc]

1) Yes (salifert)
2) ESV TE+ (2ml/day) carbon dose + Skimmer + Mesh Filter Sock! (also dose LoudWolf NaNo3 as needed cause those things drop no3 too, not just po4 - and low no3 is BAD!)

Edit: I should be clear, I target a range of .03-.07 po4 and 10 to 25 no3 relatively speaking for a mixed reef. I feed NLS pellet multiple times a day. Water change once a year... maybe?

 

[S.Pepper]

Mine's low and i'm trying to bring it up.

 

[Seanybaggs123]

GFO for me

Edit: I also have a thriving refugium and do 15% ish water changes weekly

 

[Crabs McJones]

Refugium and weekly 10% water changes for me

 

[living_tribunal]

Phosphates can be a pain the ole sump! Zero phosphates are no good but too much and you have a problem! Ewww algae! So let's talk today about how the masses are keeping phosphates under control!

1. Do you keep a steady eye on your phosphate levels?

2. What plan do you have in place, chemically, naturally or mechanically to export phosphates?

I’m sure you came across the new optimal phosphate level thread judging by this post.

To answer your questions, and I hope this doesn’t cause any confrontation, is nothing really.

I test phosphates daily ensuring they are at the approximate range I want which is always ~5x N/P. In absolute terms, I maintain nitrate at .5 and phosphate at .1. I only use chaeto to ensure phosphates don’t go too high.

I primarily use carbon dosing to attack nitrates and end up having to dose about .01-.02 phosphate a day.

So no one gets upset at me referring research on the impact of phosphate deficiency on corals, other people have success at other ranges*

I’ve found the research to indeed be very impactful in my reef and maintaining a low N/P has led to much faster growth than I witnessed before.

Phosphate deficiency promotes coral bleaching and is reflected by the ultrastructure of symbiotic dinoflagellates - PMC

Enrichment of reef environments with dissolved inorganic nutrients is considered a major threat to the survival of corals living in symbiosis with dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium sp.). We argue, however, that the direct negative effects on the ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[KTTX]

Mine are taken up by corals etc and I have to dose phosphates

 

[RevMH]

Large Triton style refugium, 16% weekly water changes, and a 3 tablespoos of GFO (passive) for me (if phos gets too high).

 

[LC8Sumi]

I don’t trust refugiums anymore.

 

[RevMH]

I don’t trust refugiums anymore.

Strictly out of curiosity (not trying to argue about any specific "ways"), why not? I feel like there is a story here. :)

 

[Jackcarp]

Mine's low and i'm trying to bring it up.

I have the same problem and find myself battling Dino’s frequently. My nitrates are at a good level finally after increasing my feeding and shutting my skimmer off.

 

[TimCW]

Yes, I check phosphate with Hanna ULR Phospate checker. Currently mine are in the .02-.03 range.
I try and keep it in check with water changes, about 10% every 2 weeks and running a skimmer. I know the skimmer is for removing organics but some do contain phosphates. I did use Phosguard for a while and it helped. If they start to get out of hand I'll use it again.
I know some use GFO but that seems to strip the water of all nutrients. Not a good thing if not used with caution.

 

[Jackcarp]

Mine are taken up by corals etc and I have to dose phosphates

How are you dosing? I have some phosphate to dose but I haven’t started doing it on a regular basis.

 

[tdlawdo]

Thriving refugium and daily AWC to add up to about 15% change weekly. I have more issues keeping them up. Robust feeding program now and things are thriving.
Hanna ULR checker.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

I test with red sea, its an excellent low range kit.
I use nothing but an algae scrubber to export PO4, & ocassionally dose potassium phosphate.

 

[JCOLE]

I cannot keep PO4 and NO3 up for anything. I am about to start daily dosing both via doser.

 

[LC8Sumi]

Strictly out of curiosity (not trying to argue about any specific "ways"), why not? I feel like there is a story here. :)

It’s just a feeling, but I think if it is added at a wrong time and/or wrong amount / photoperiod, it can outcompete beneficial bacteria for ammonia and nitrite, and push/keep the tank in an imbalanced state, which might lead to dinos/cyanos ultimately. I also think it competes for trace elements with corals, and in some cases this could lead to growth/coral color issues. Or it competes with some type of bacteria that’s present in the system and corals feed on those. Might be a coincidence, but I’ve pulled mine after 3 years, and the skimmate is lighter now & corals have a deeper color. I’ve tried dosing no3/po4 before, but I think I still was mainly feeding the algae in the fuge with that approach.

 

[living_tribunal]

How are you dosing? I have some phosphate to dose but I haven’t started doing it on a regular basis.

Neophos, just measure it out and dose to powerhead.