good skimming,not overfeeding are the easiest preventive measures that come to mind-as well as maintaining proper alk./calcium levels,to help precipitate it out of the water.a phosphate sponge in a hot magnum, or small canister filrter will help, too.
Over here in Europe there is a product called Rowaphos which will take any surplus of phosphate from your system. It works, 100% so I'm sure it must be available in the USA or soon will be. Almost everyone that I know uses it at some time.
Limiting the po4 input is the key but there's plenty of ways to rid yourself of the stuff. The most natural way to remove phosphates from your system would be to set up a refugium and grow different kinds of macroalgae. Other than that there's a bazillion phosphate removing resins and things that will also do the trick. HTH