Need Help with High Phosphates

[FragIt Dan]

Originally Posted by Enigma

I used Phosbuster Pro to knock my phosphates down (in addition to changing my ROWAphos). But! I dosed very conservatively: 1/4 dose or less, two days apart, and I watched my phosphate readings closely. It is one of those things that seems to trigger tank crashes when a whole dose is used at once: especially when a big reduction is required.

+1, use some GFO in a reactor or in the short term just in a sock. Perhaps start with a half dose. You may also want to test your RO water for phosphates, you may be surprised. I opted to add DI to my RO system. RHF wrote an article http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/3/chemistry on phosphate sources that suggests rinsing foods has negligible benefit. The rest of the article is pretty good too.


Dan

[LeanneP]

I am still kind of new to salt water so excuse my ignorance but what is GFO? I am sure it is something simple but I not figuring it out.
Leanne

[Nano]

Gfo- granular ferric oxide or phosphate remover.

[Rogue951]

It's also commonly known as rust. =)

I used pellets and grew chaeto in my sump before I started using a reactor.
I use all 3 now. phosphates might show up once in a while at 0.01.

[Myka]

Leanne, how are you testing phosphate and nitrate (which kits)? Which fish do you have in your tank? What type of skimmer do you use?

[daniella3d]

I find that a bit odd that you have 0 nitrates and 1.0 phosphates...seem strange.

[Myka]

Yeah I agree Daniella. I have a hard time believing there is "zero" nitrate with that much phosphate. That's why I'm questioning the testing method.