Need Help with High Phosphates

[LeanneP]

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

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by FitoPharmer

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??

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by LeanneP

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

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

[Starry]

What size tank Leanne?

[FitoPharmer]

Originally Posted by reefwars

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

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by FitoPharmer

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)??

[reefwars]

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

[FitoPharmer]

Personally I have only used Rowaphos and bulk GFO.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by FitoPharmer

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

[reefwars]

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.php