Total Noob Question: Phosphate

[Enigma]

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?

[reefwars]

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

[reefwars]

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

[Enigma]

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

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

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by Enigma

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

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

[reefwars]

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

[FragIt Dan]

0.03 is the number i see commonly quoted as a targeted level for PO4. Your test accuracy, as earlier mentioned, is about this, so anything from 0.00 to 0.08 would be within a range I would be happy with. If it was on the higher range in there and I were having algae issues I might try running more GFO, but I would say with your current levels changing it now would have little to no noticeable affect. Pulling PO4 lower than about 0.03ppn will likely result in bleaching of sps and slowed growth as PO4 acts as a seed crystal in the coral's calcification process. If you are running a system that is having algae issues with PO4 around the 0.03ppm, look at your sources and sinks for PO4... you can have low levels while still cycling a lot through the system, it just gets taken up quickly by your sinks. In terms of cyano or Dino's, I often see issues during summer with them in many tanks. I suspect it has to do with increased silica levels in the tap water as my RODI system seems to get plugged with brown scum much faster during summer months and tank blooms seem to be much more common during summer (from what I've seen). I have had less issues since running RODI, but that's just me
Dan