Po4 wontwont budge...

[whitejawfish]

Hello all...

My Po4 wont budge. here are the current test results.

po4 = .12 (redsea)
No3 = 5 (red sea)
Ca = 400 (api)
Alk= 8 dkh (red sea)
Ph= 8.2 -8.4 (apex)
Cond= 35 (apex)
temp= 78 (apex)
Mg 1300 (red sea)

*I verified the sametvery similar results using other test kits.

These readings have pretty much stayed this way for about 3 months. I do carbon dose for a few years to maintain these numbers. Cant reduce po4 no matter what. I tried water changes... tried running fresh GFO, reducing food, nothing helps. System is stable full mixed reef tank. I have no idea what is causing this. But for several years I was able to maintain po4 in the .07-.03 range. Until now!

Are my test results considered high for po4? I had some SPS RTN from tips down and other than po4 nothing else is jumping out at me.

what do you guys think?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Water changes are not a good way to reduce phosphate (100% will not drop it to zero), and I'd just let it stay about where it is. phosphate can be hard to move (up or down) because of the big reservoir on rock and sand, and because so much comes with foods.

 

[Reef.]

Hello all...

My Po4 wont budge. here are the current test results.

po4 = .12 (redsea)
No3 = 5 (red sea)
Ca = 400 (api)
Alk= 8 dkh (red sea)
Ph= 8.2 -8.4 (apex)
Cond= 35 (apex)
temp= 78 (apex)
Mg 1300 (red sea)

*I verified the sametvery similar results using other test kits.

These readings have pretty much stayed this way for about 3 months. I do carbon dose for a few years to maintain these numbers. Cant reduce po4 no matter what. I tried water changes... tried running fresh GFO, reducing food, nothing helps. System is stable full mixed reef tank. I have no idea what is causing this. But for several years I was able to maintain po4 in the .07-.03 range. Until now!

Are my test results considered high for po4? I had some SPS RTN from tips down and other than po4 nothing else is jumping out at me.

what do you guys think?

yeah I’m having the same experience, missed a couple of weeks water changes as shop was out of my brand of salt, ended up changing brands. (not a good excuse I know) now my PO4 has gone from around .09 to .2, I have got it down but can not get it to where it was.

 

[Uncle99]

.12ppm is not a bad level, so I would do nothing.
The only test kit I have found to be consistent is the Hanna ULR.
Otherwise, I think the levels we are talking about are to small for any other kits.
Seek stability over level especially with kits that are likely not that accurate to begin with.
My Salifert and Seachem kits have both come back .2ppm for two years.
The Hanna ULR says 15ppb or approximately 0.05ppm, which is more in line with my expectations.