Rice Reef's 120 SPS Reef Tank

[freezetyle]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

T I found that the biopellets also don't do a lot for me for PO4 reduction, although having said that, I think I read that they can only reduce PO4 alongside NO3. NO3 becomes the limiting factor, ie., once it's down to zero or near zero then the pellets can't reduce the PO4 any further than wherever they are at. So getting some GFO might not be a bad idea going forward.

Thats the ticket. You might have to deal with the extra iron in your tank wayne and run gfo intermittently.

[Rice Reef]

Originally Posted by freezetyle

Thats the ticket. You might have to deal with the extra iron in your tank wayne and run gfo intermittently.

Yep, I may just have too. After reading more on Zeozym I am thinking that it could be breaking down the proteins in the rocks thus resulting in this sudden po4 spike. Just did another 20 gallon water change. Tested the water before the change... Still at .21. Will be testing the water tomorrow and hope that it has dropped... Will be preparing another batch of water in the morning. So far no casualties ( knock on wood )...

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by freezetyle

Thats the ticket. You might have to deal with the extra iron in your tank wayne and run gfo intermittently.

Does running GFO tend to increase the iron readings in the tank? I know you can get test kits for iron but I've never tried one.

[Rice Reef]

This morning's po4 reading was .25... It went up. After a strong cup of coffee I traced back to everything that i did in the last four weeks, including the water changes... could it be a defective Hanna or the RO unit? I don't recall checking the RO water lately... I had just made a fresh batch this morning... The TDS read 016. Tested the tap water... .019... Then it hit me... I forgot to change the RO units membrane! To be certain I took it to a LFS and had the tap water and the tank water tested and it came up with very similar results. The last four week of water changes was all for nothing. I could have prevented the build up of po4 had I used the TDS meter.
Will be making a large batch of RODI water tonight ( with a new membrane).. . The lesson learned is to not assume the water is po4 free even though the last batch was. I will put off in using GFO at this time and try reducing the po4 naturally. Will be testing the po4 regularly for now.

[Werbo]

Have you tested the tap water for PO4 or just used the TDS?

I'd do a Hanna PO4 test on the tap water.

Have you ever flushed the RO membrane? I'd try flushing the RO membrane before replacing it.

[Delphinus]

I thought I read somewhere that the Hanna checkers for phosphate don't give correct readings on freshwater. Having said that I can't seem to find the link where I read that, so I'm not 100% sure. I guess it can't hurt to have a new RO membrane regardless..

[Rice Reef]

Originally Posted by Tyler Werbowski

Have you tested the tap water for PO4 or just used the TDS?

I'd do a Hanna PO4 test on the tap water.

Have you ever flushed the RO membrane? I'd try flushing the RO membrane before replacing it.

Yes, I did... First test was a triple zero, second test was .028 and third test was .017... That was what prompt me to question the Hanna po4 tester.
The old membrane was due for a change. I had forgotten to do so in the summer.

Originally Posted by Delphinus

I thought I read somewhere that the Hanna checkers for phosphate don't give correct readings on freshwater. Having said that I can't seem to find the link where I read that, so I'm not 100% sure. I guess it can't hurt to have a new RO membrane regardless..

I don't know much about that but after testing it with the Hanna you may be right about that. Have a new one, in fact, I upgraded to the deluxe puratek... No more guessing and forgetting... Guess I'll be keeping the old one ( which is like new) for drinking only.
Making new water right now. TDS: 000.