Q's (PO4 / PH / Active Carbon)

[dadstank]

i have been using Kent phosphate remover since friday night and my phosphates are still at or above 1.0. i put in the first bag full friday night around 7, left it in until sat morning when i did a ten gallon change. when i was all done i replaced the bag with new remover. i tested the water last night and again just now and the phosphates are still high. however my PH has dropped from 8.2-8.3 to 7.9-8.0.

is the PH related?

--i also changed the active carbon bag. i havn't changed that in almost three or four months. i'll be honest i only keep it in there because my father did.

can anyone offer for/against thoughts for it?

is the PH related to this?

should i add "PH upper" to the tank?

 

[Anonymous]

I would recommend against raising PH chemically. It's only temporary.

If your PO4 didn't drop after using a PO4 remover then you must be adding it. Carbon will add a little but not enough to maintain 1.0ppm. Are you using tap water? Are you overfeeding? Are you feeding frozen Brine Shrimp?

 

[Ben1]

Also how are you running the P04 remover and what type is it? A bag in the sump mostly just has most water running around it not through it.

 

[dadstank]

i am not using tap water. i lug twenty gallons of ro water from my mother's house either everyother weekend, or lately every weekend. so unless it is getting PO from sitting in the bucket...

i feed ocean nutrition "prime reef" on wednesday or thursdays and sundays. and only a really tiny amount. my three fish eat it all within a minute or so. i have brine shrimp but have not used it in many months. the only fish i have are two damsels and a puesdo. (four if you count the convict blenny, but we rarely see him...

the remover is in the sump directly under the inlet from the overflow. water is definitly moving through it as well as around it.

how quickly will the PH adjust on it's own?

 

[Anonymous]

Low PH is normally an indication of excess dissolved CO2. This can be caused by an inadequate skimmer, accumulated detritius but usually it's a symptom of insufficient waterflow or a clogged mechanical filter. PH also varies depending on the amount of photosynthesis going on. When the lights have been out for a while the PH will tend to drop (more CO2) and when the lights come on the PH will trend upwards.