phosphate

[gasman]

i have started a 55 gallon tank project. Built my own stand, canopy, run the plumbing and working on sump and then refuge. I was given live sand from a person that was getting out of the hobby. I received 100 lbs. of dead rock that came from the ocean in the bahamas. ( I work at a port so all kinds of things come by). Now the tank has cycled and the only thing is phosphate 2.0 ppm.
I am afraid that it is coming from the rocks. I have added more water to the sump to dilute it and it is still 2.0 ppm. has not moved. The tank has been cycled for more then 3 weeks. I am starting to get coraline growing on the rocks. Will the phosphate stop leaking from the rock or do I need to get rid of it?

Thanks for all info.

 

[Piggy]

Have you tried using something to get rid of the phosphate?

 

[imdaring]

I had a phosphate prob and I used phosphate sponge from the LPS you put it in a mesh bag and tie it shut and then I put it under the flow going into my sump and by the next day it was normal..

 

[RyanG]

The phosphate is more likely coming from the used sand. Get yourself some Granulated Ferrous Oxide( I think thats what it is Granulate Ferrous something or other) that is the most efficient phos removal media.

 

[cgoodman381]

Rather then running phos removal just throw some macro algae in your fuge. Not only will it take your phosphates away, but will also reduce your nitrates.

 

[yote]

Another thing you might try is Phosphate-E from Brightwell Aquatics.Since your phosphates are so high.
But then again,you could have a faulty test kit thats giving a false reading.,

 

[Doc]

anytime I get a weird test read, I wait a while and re-test and then, take a sample to the LFS. I don't panic. Phosphate remover is a great idea, but if your tank has no fish, there could be an inherent problem with the system (rocks, sand, something). SInce there is no livestock, I would relax a bit and wait it out to see what happens

-Doc

 

[messiah023]

Where is your water coming from?
Phosphate can be caused by not using high purity water from a RO/DI system or prepacked water from you LFS.

 

[gasman]

The only thing I have in the tank is blue leg hermits and 1 turbo snail. I have seen small star fish and copepods. i have also been putting live sand and live rock booster in the tank.

 

[yote]

The phosphate kits we use,only read inorganic phosphates.Fish produce the organic form.So our kits usually dont pick those up.
From what I understand.

 

[gasman]

The water is coming from the lfs. It is filtered seawater. I have a 20 gallon that I have had no problems with.

 

[Bifferwine]

If you have a fuge, macroalgae will help. If not, try some PhosGuard or PhosBan.

 

[gasman]

Did a test still 2.0ppm. Hooked a bag of phosban to the overflow will test in a few days to see where I am at. Thanks for all replys

 

[sen5241b]

Look at Chemipure elite.

 

[McCrary]

There aren't very many good phosphate test kits, so just assume you have them and manage the tank like you have them. A Two Little Fishes phosphate reactor is like $30, some GFO from twopartsolution.com is cheap as well, this should help with the problem. Change it out every month and you should be fine.

 

[simpleman]

If you run a phos reactor will it kill chaeto due to insufficient nutrients? What could cause chaeto to die off?

 

[gasman]

I tested the phosphates last night and they are still 2.0ppm. I tested in another aquarium and it had .05ppm so I think the test is right. I just need to find out what is causing it to get rid of it.

 

[McCrary]

What test kit are you using?

 

[simpleman]

If you run a phos reactor will it kill chaeto due to insufficient nutrients? What could cause chaeto to die off?

?????????? No answer?

 

[ccCapt]

?????????? No answer?

Removing phosphate alone will not kill off your chaeto. But if you run gfo, have low to non existant nitrates, and use pure RO/DI water, chaeto may not have the available nutrients in the water needed to grow.