PO4 all over the board

[member 99594]

Hey all,

I have about 2 months in and can't seem to beat the phosphates. I have a feeling they may be leaching from the rocks. I purchased rocks that were cleaned in an acid bath.

I have had readings from .08 to .42 it usually goes down after a water change but creeps up again. Suggestions?

How long would it take for the rock to leach all the phosphates out and I can move on with this?

Below is what looks like a rollercoaster ride but is really my chart for Phosphates.

Cheers!!

 

[GoVols]

If you fully trust you testing:

Looks like the rock could be leaching.

Tumbling GFO in it's own reactor is a good option.

Start off with a super low dose.

 

[member 99594]

If you fully trust you testing:

Looks like the rock could be leaching.

Tumbling GFO in it's own reactor is a good option.

Start off with a super low dose.

I have been using the GFO in the system and Carbon. I checked to make sure the carbon was Phosphate free too, it is. I am going to start testing the phosphate before feeding too. This may give me a better baseline.

 

[GoVols]

I have been using the GFO in the system and Carbon. I checked to make sure the carbon was Phosphate free too, it is. I am going to start testing the phosphate before feeding too. This may give me a better baseline.

Sounds good!!

Cut and paste from my build thread / Date: June 26 / 2017

"Why and how did GoVols come to run a GFO reactor???

First off I've never really fought hair algae in the past. Cyano, yes. Hair algae, No.

Two springs ago I got an hair algae outbreak for the fist time. All testing was spot on. Took water to local reef shop and same thing, spot on.
They said it has to be the lights. I did not think so. I was using the same T5's and changing them every six months. So, I'm stumped. :confused:

About a month later I noticed one thing and a light bulb came on. The hair algae was only growing on my live rock. So, now I'm thinking could my old live rock be leaching trapped in phos. like new untreated dry rock?

So, I took a gamble and bought the ole Phos. Ban reactor and started tumbling Rowaphos. After two weeks the hair algae was gone and has never returned.

My old live rock from previous reefs was leaching trapped in phos. and fueling the hair algae. The hair algae was holding in the phos. so the phos. was not in the water column, thus tricking all test results.

Last spring Aquamaxx came out with a new media reactor that is built very good at a great price. So, I dumped the cheaply made Phos. Ban reactor and plumbed in the Aquamaxx reactor.

If you want to run GFO. Then I'd highly recommend letting GFO tumble in it's own reactor to get the full benefit of the GFO.
Please start off well below the recommended dose so that you do not shock your corals. To this day, I still run a lower dose and just re-charge more often.

Regards, GoVols"