Salt Water Reef Water Parameters

[Braveheart!]

I've had a salt water reef tank now for 4 years. I have learned a lot in that time, It isn't easy, but that's what I love. I would like others input on water parameters. Most of my parameters are good. I check them several times a week for fun. (I don't think that is a good idea.. lol) My Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium, and Salinity are all great. I fight with my Nitrate which should be between 1-10 ppm...It runs between 7 to 20. BUT MY PHOSPHATE which should be .01-.03. Runs around .13 when I do waters changes twice a week and run GFO. The problem is I go on Vacation several times a year for around 20 days. During that time my phosphate runs around .53 to .75. I do get extra algae on my glass, but my leather, torches, hammers, and other coral look better. what the heck...... My advance to any new reef....look at for coral first...than the numbers.. please give me some input. thanks

 

[CaptDan]

I have found that feeding pellets and flake food loads up the phosphate, I now only feed frozen and that has made a big difference

 

[Channas]

Yes same, i have completly stopped with dried food and that significly dropped my phosphates, i used to sit at 0.3-0.4 and now im at 0.16 which btw i am totally fine with my acros grow nicely and show great colouration and growth, everything happy and i wouldnt care about your nitrates i keep mine arround the same as your but more stable 15-17, stable being the key Word, dont be afraid of a little high nutrients as long as everything is stable it should be fine. My advice is to cut back on dried food and if possible install a refugium or algae scrubber

 

[BryanM]

I've had a salt water reef tank now for 4 years. I have learned a lot in that time, It isn't easy, but that's what I love. I would like others input on water parameters. Most of my parameters are good. I check them several times a week for fun. (I don't think that is a good idea.. lol) My Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium, and Salinity are all great. I fight with my Nitrate which should be between 1-10 ppm...It runs between 7 to 20. BUT MY PHOSPHATE which should be .01-.03. Runs around .13 when I do waters changes twice a week and run GFO. The problem is I go on Vacation several times a year for around 20 days. During that time my phosphate runs around .53 to .75. I do get extra algae on my glass, but my leather, torches, hammers, and other coral look better. what the heck...... My advance to any new reef....look at for coral first...than the numbers.. please give me some input. thanks

Unless you're trying to run an ultra low nutrient system nitrates 5-50, and phos ..1-.3 are reasonable numbers.