Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board - Need Help with High Phosphates

Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/index.php)

- Reef (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=8)

- - Need Help with High Phosphates (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=90730)

I have a Remora Aqua C skimmer that is about 6 months old. Fish are sailfin tang, rabbit fish, 3 damsels, 2 clowns and a lawn mower Benny. I did add some GFO earlier today and my hammer coral is already looking a bit better. I used Fluval brand which I am sure is not that great but it is what I had. I used the most minimum amount that they suggested to avoid bleaching.
I have just retested my nitrate with two kits and they both say 0 for nitrate but they are API and I know they are quite inaccurate. I have a Nutrfin test kit for phosphate, again it is saying 1.0. I know I need to invest in some better test kits. We don't have any stores that sell decent ones here so it is on my list for my next trip to Vancouver.
I know that I am having these issues because of the water quality so I hopeful now I have R/O water things will get back on track. I do have a TDS meter so I check all my water to make sure it is at 0 before I put it in the tank.
Thanks for all the help. I will try and find some better GFO tomorrow.
Leanne

Quote:

Originally Posted by FitoPharmer (Post 754789)

GFO is the safest and easiest way to help out IMO since you are already changing water.

There is a sponsor on the boards that sells it wholesale.
Or you can purchase it from a store under brand names like Rowaphos or Phosban.

i dont think phosban is gfo is it??? i thought it was aluminun based??

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeanneP (Post 754958)

how many water changes have you done lately?? could explain why your nitrates are so low , tyically water chages dont do much for phoshates.

run the gfo and lay off the water changes for a week or 2 and let things stabilize then resume with your water changes.

phosphates do a number on a lot of coral.... imo its one of the things you really need to target right from the beginning.

the corals are always the first to tell;)

What size tank Leanne?

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefwars (Post 755000)

i dont think phosban is gfo is it??? i thought it was aluminun based??

I thought it was just the brand name Two Little Fish co. sold their GFO under.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=8996

Quote:

Originally Posted by FitoPharmer (Post 755015)

I thought it was just the brand name Two Little Fish co. sold their GFO under.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=8996

i guess they changed it ,its been years since i used phosban and it use to be aluminum based but looking at that says they changed to ferric oxide(iron)??

which is good because the aluminum based stuff was ....well....CRAP lol it had the potential to leach back once full.....glad to see they came to their senses :)

Personally I have only used Rowaphos and bulk GFO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FitoPharmer (Post 755022)

Personally I have only used Rowaphos and bulk GFO.

same here now but years ago phosban was the only thing i could get where i lived .

i swear by gfo and have for a long time now ,imo its a must have on any reeftank and by running it i dont even test phos anymore just change out media when algae starts to film on my glass :)

go gfo for the win!!

ive tried the phosdown......not a fan at all:twised: