Phosphates in fresh mixed salt water

[1970 lonereefer]

Bought a bunch of fritz blue box cases of salt when they were on sale. I'm three cases in with weekly water changes, phosphates continued trending upward , didn't understand why . Finally thought of testing fresh mixed salt water hanna checker showing .27 .26 .23 .24 that's the last 4 weeks water changes. Ro di water is testing .03 wondered if anyone else having same experience? Have always used IO/RC SINCE EARLY 2000s never anything else but also never tested make up for phos before,but also never had a problem.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Salt mixes typically are not significant sources of phosphate relative to foods. I’m not sure if you are detecting P from your water, from a bad batch somehow, or a test error.

 

[Fish Fan]

I'm wondering how you determined your RODI is 0.03, is that Hanna Checker accurate for freshwater, or did you perform a different test on the freshwater? Maybe your RODI water is in fact higher in phosphates than you may think. Just a guess, I hope that helps!

 

[1970 lonereefer]

I believe I read somewhere I could use hanna for freshwater phosphate test. But maybe I'm mistaken .

 

[1970 lonereefer]

Also tested ro water and salt mixed water multiple times in a row RO.04 saltwater mix.27 RO.03 saltmix .26 and so on also tested same samples multiple times with same results. I have also ordered new ro membranes ,gonna replace them di resin is good and output shows 2 ppm. As I said just wondering if anyone else had issues with fritz as I have never used it.NOT SAYING ITS THE SALT. Just trying to figure it out. I go through 25 to 30 gallon for ato weekly and 30 gal waterchange weekly . Membranes are two years old for one and 3 years for other. Thanks for your help.never heard of a saltmix having high phos like that . Thanks

 

[gbroadbridge]

Bought a bunch of fritz blue box cases of salt when they were on sale. I'm three cases in with weekly water changes, phosphates continued trending upward , didn't understand why . Finally thought of testing fresh mixed salt water hanna checker showing .27 .26 .23 .24 that's the last 4 weeks water changes. Ro di water is testing .03 wondered if anyone else having same experience? Have always used IO/RC SINCE EARLY 2000s never anything else but also never tested make up for phos before,but also never had a problem.

There probably is phosphate in your newly mixed saltwater, but it is not important and will be consumed by the tank very rapidly.

You will add far more phosphate on a daily basis by feeding the fish.

 

[Uncle99]

Also tested ro water and salt mixed water multiple times in a row RO.04 saltwater mix.27 RO.03 saltmix .26 and so on also tested same samples multiple times with same results. I have also ordered new ro membranes ,gonna replace them di resin is good and output shows 2 ppm. As I said just wondering if anyone else had issues with fritz as I have never used it.NOT SAYING ITS THE SALT. Just trying to figure it out. I go through 25 to 30 gallon for ato weekly and 30 gal waterchange weekly . Membranes are two years old for one and 3 years for other. Thanks for your help.never heard of a saltmix having high phos like that . Thanks

I used both the red line and the blue for a year and did not have any notable increase in my PO4.

It was a good salt, but, increased much in price in my area, so, I reverted back to my Red Sea Black.

 

[1970 lonereefer]

I just ordered a bucket of reef crystals since that what I've been using for so long ,gonna run same tests on that salt also. Process of elimination.

 

[winxp_man]

I'm wondering how you determined your RODI is 0.03, is that Hanna Checker accurate for freshwater, or did you perform a different test on the freshwater? Maybe your RODI water is in fact higher in phosphates than you may think. Just a guess, I hope that helps!

Per Hanna they can be used for fresh too.

 

[Fish Fan]

Per Hanna they can be used for fresh too.

Thank you, I was not sure of that.

 

[winxp_man]

Thank you, I was not sure of that.

Yes I looked into it being my brothers FW tank he has some peacock bass in had a bad algae bloom. Of course my ulr unit peaked at .90 haha. It’s how I looked into this subject and found that it does read FW too.

 

[1970 lonereefer]

Thanks I was pretty sure hanna checker for both.

 

[1970 lonereefer]

But I think it's only phosphate checker if I remember correctly.