Total Noob Question: Phosphate
 

Being that I know the API phosphate test is garbage, and I've got bacteria and algae issues, I decided to pick up the Hanna phosphate checker.

0.02 ppm

I understand that falls within the acceptable range (probably because all of the phosphate is being used up by the algae and bacteria), but that seems high. I was hoping to see lower.

I run a ROWAphos fluid reactor. Is the measurement I've gotten an indication that it is time to replace the ROWAphos? Is 0.02 ppm really okay, or is this something needs needs remedied?

are you testing directly from the output of your reactor??


should read close to zero from there if its any higher i would replace it:)


rowaphos only holds so much phosphates so if the system is heavy it will need to be chaned frequently, once it sucks it all up you can use less and change it less.

im changing out mine about every 2 mths or less:)

.2 is def acceptable but remember it doesnt include whats being used up from algae or cyano:)

I haven't changed my ROWAphos in longer than two months. Actually, it may be closer to four. :o

I'll test what is coming out of the reactor.

well you have a small tank too, but yeah id get that changed out. i usually change my gfo when film algae gets to growing on the glass.


test the reactor its the easiest way to see how good your gfo is, if its the same as display then change it out:)

good thing about rowa is it doesnt leach the phosphates back to your tank once its filled like other brands do:)

Hmm. 0.01 ppm out of the reactor. Is it possible to see 0 out of it?

This Hanna checker is very nice and easy to use. :)

not too sure if you can or not i imgione theres always going to be a small amount no matter what you do, either way its a low reading and its safe to say your gfo is obviously still working. i would simply change out the media and test it a few days apart to see what your readings are:)


no other algae issues besides the cyano and bryopsis??

Oh, there is one more algae. Green. Looks kind of like bryopsis. I've totally forgotten the name right now. It is another tough one to eradicate. I've got dino's too.

Edit: Derbesia is the other one.

Hanna 713 PO4 checker(I assume that's the one you have) has an accuracy of +(-)0.04ppm. So your water out of the reactor could be 0ppm or 0.05 ppm. As long as water out of the reactor has a lower PO4 level than the tank water, then your GFO is still good.