Dust and Phosphates

[benni]

A friend of mine read about how dust can accumulate in tanks, especially tanks with open tops, and overtime will cause phosphate levels to increase. I am wondering if anyone knows anything about this and if it is something to be concerned about as I am currently on the winning end of a hair algae battle and want to keep it there.

 

[Nemo2007]

This is an interesting thread. I want to know the answer too. My tank is half open, half closed.

 

[Anonymous]

Interesting topic, tagging along in case anyone has any input. My large tank is also an open top, and the sump is in a tank room that stands open for 8 months of the year (for heat mitigation) A lot of dust accumulates in the tank room and on the water surface. I have not had PO problems however. I would guess that it depends heavily on the composition of the dust. (Pics in the thread in my sig.)

 

[Anonymous]

Well, household dust is mainly composed of shed human skin, dead dust mites and various fungi ( mental note to self must vacuum everything in the house-twice) and per some quick internet searching it appears none of these are phosphate-rich. I'd like to know here the OP's friend read that, it sounds like a 'reefkeeping myth' to me on it's face but perhaps someone has more data than I do.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd suspect a decent overflow and skimmer will make this a non-issue. Unless you have a source of dust so copious that it starts to overwhelm either (or one higher in phosphate than the usual components of dust already mentioned by Tracy - soot maybe from a fireplace?).

 

[Anonymous]

Phosphates from any source will not accumulate as long as phosphate consumers keep up with phosphate production.

I had two tanks with open tops and unmeasureable phosphates (with no water changes) using the salifert low reading phosphate test kit. Under .25ppm for sure. Not any hint of the red color.


my .02

 

[leftovers]

The amount of dust that gets in to your tanks is not enough for phosphate increase...i guess the ocean is just a massive phosphate sponge if this were the case give its exposed to significantly more dust than your tank...but that just isn't the case. The ocean receives the vast vast vast majority of its phosphate via sewage and run off..

As for you tank being open there is NOTHING to be worried about others than stupid user tricks of spraying household cleaners, perfume or other into it.

 

[Anonymous]

It would be a concern if your tank is located inside a factory where phosphate-containing detergent is made. The amount of phosphate you add to your tank in the form of fish food, for example, is several magnitudes higher than household dust.