Salifert Phosphate Levels

[djs4him]

I should know this by now but .. it’s been a long time since I’ve tested phosphates.

My water is testing at 1.0 according to the color chart in the photo below. Am I correct in assuming this means 1.0ppm? The instructions have a single sentence “The phosphate values are in ppm phosphate” in the photo.

I am asking for clarification on the units. Just want to be sure I don’t need to multiply the result by some scalar or multiple of ten.

I ask because many hobbyists run around 10-20ppm of nitrates in a FOWLR.. it would seem this test doesn’t go that high? My tank has a healthy carpet of green hair algae along the back wall - I’d assume a PO4 reading of 1.0ppm would suggest I should have almost zero algae growth in my tank right?

 

[Rmckoy]

I should know this by now but .. it’s been a long time since I’ve tested phosphates.

My water is testing at 1.0 according to the color chart in the photo below. Am I correct in assuming this means 1.0ppm? The instructions have a single sentence “The phosphate values are in ppm phosphate” in the photo.

I am asking for clarification on the units. Just want to be sure I don’t need to multiply the result by some scalar or multiple of ten.

I ask because many hobbyists run around 10-20ppm of nitrates in a FOWLR.. it would seem this test doesn’t go that high? My tank has a healthy carpet of green hair algae along the back wall - I’d assume a PO4 reading of 1.0ppm would suggest I should have almost zero algae growth in my tank right?

You’re testing phosphates not nitrates !
This test will give you the test value for phosphates only and the conversion is from phosphates to phosphorus

typically you want 0.03ppm to 0:1ppm phosphates
10ppm- 20ppm nitrates is a completely different test

 

[djs4him]

You’re testing phosphates not nitrates !
This test will give you the test value for phosphates only and the conversion is from phosphates to phosphorus

typically you want 0.03ppm to 0:1ppm phosphates
10ppm- 20ppm nitrates is a completely different test

You are 1000% correct and I’m a moron. Thank you - I knew I was missing something lol!

 

[Rmckoy]

With 1ppm phosphates this would show you have plenty of nutrients to feed any algae .
not knowing what values you have tested for nitrates as well as many other variables such as livestock , light , light source , water source , clean. Up crew to combat left over foods , etc

 

[djs4him]

Just for completeness I’ll post my parameters:

Temp: 77F
Salinity: 1.025
PO4: 1.0ppm
Ca: 500ppm
pH: 8.0
dKH: 7.0
Size: 40g cube
Type: FOWLR

I ultimately want to add some zoas as my first coral. I’m trying to get my chemistry correct first. Clearly I need to drop phosphates significantly and also raise alkalinity to around 10 dKH I’d say.

 

[djs4him]

Are phosphates at this level deadly to my fish? I don’t know how much phosphate fish can tolerate. Perhaps I should do a massive water change tomorrow?

 

[Rmckoy]

Just for completeness I’ll post my parameters:

Temp: 77F
Salinity: 1.025
PO4: 1.0ppm
Ca: 500ppm
pH: 8.0
dKH: 7.0
Size: 40g cube
Type: FOWLR

I ultimately want to add some zoas as my first coral. I’m trying to get my chemistry correct first. Clearly I need to drop phosphates significantly and also raise alkalinity to around 10 dKH I’d say.

Alk at 7 is a little on the low side but I personally run mine at 7.5 dkh ( nsw level )
I’d try getting a nitrate test and not worry too much about ph
Ph will naturally fluctuate from day to night
The main ones you want rock stable are salinity , Alkalinity , calcium , and magnesium

next to stabilize are nutrients ( nitrates and phosphates .
you will get to learn your system and what contributes to higher numbers . How much water and how frequent you need to change it .

keep it simple and happy reefing .
Maintain water quality and aim for stable parameters
When you add corals , you will appreciate the basic parameters lessons

 

[Rmckoy]

Are phosphates at this level deadly to my fish? I don’t know how much phosphate fish can tolerate. Perhaps I should do a massive water change tomorrow?

1.0 is acceptable .
I don’t know for sure if it’s too high for fish but ideally corals use phosphates and 1.0ppm is a good place to be .
a little high but always better to have food compared to starved

see if you can get nitrates tested and compare the values
In a newer system I would only expect higher levels and not stable

 

[Rmckoy]

@vetteguy53081

 

[Rmckoy]

Feel free to post pictures of the system ?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Are phosphates at this level deadly to my fish? I don’t know how much phosphate fish can tolerate. Perhaps I should do a massive water change tomorrow?

For fish no, technically for coral no. For coral, best safe range is .04-.08
Elevated levels of po4 often promotes algae growth and certain bacterial issues such as Cyano bacteria

 

[Rmckoy]

For fish no, technically for coral no. For coral, best safe range is .04-.08
Elevated levels of po4 often promotes algae growth and certain bacterial issues such as Cyano bacteria

To help without bombarding without 1000’s of copy and paste threads .
This is what I like about r2r

 

[djs4him]

Thanks guys I appreciate it. I’ll work on bringing those phosphates down gradually .. might pick up some GFO this weekend for starters and do a decent water change.

 

[Rmckoy]

Thanks guys I appreciate it. I’ll work on bringing those phosphates down gradually .. might pick up some GFO this weekend for starters and do a decent water change.

Do you have a nitrate test kit ?
I wouldn’t add too much or change too much water without knowing nitrate levels

 

[djs4him]

Do you have a nitrate test kit ?
I wouldn’t add too much or change too much water without knowing nitrate levels

I tested my nitrates this morning and they came in around 15ppm.

 

[Rmckoy]

I tested my nitrates this morning and they came in around 15ppm.

15 nitrates and 0.1 phosphates are not bad .