phosphate problem

[jadakiss]

hi guys when i first startin settin up my tank i used fresh water i then that is when i started having phosphate problem. my tap water reads 20ppm nitrate some times. any way i now been usin a rodi for about 4mths . i brought a poly filter a phos-zorb. when i did the water change the poly filter was brown , guess its doin its job. in my tank the phosphate reads .5 so since ive been usin rodi and poly its been goin down. also my nitrate. my question is what else can i do to make this go away! ive scrubbed my rocks. i recently brought 3 maxijet power head 1200 but havnt installed it yet.ohh i forgot to say ive had my tank for about 1yr 1/2

 

[Deanos]

Did you try searching Manhattan Reefs?

Here are a few:

• Water changes
• Phosphate removal media
• Reduce phosphate input (top-off water, food, etc.)
• kalkwasser dosing

 

[meschaefer]

How are you measuring phosphate, unless you are using a meter or one of the higher end test kits (i.e. Hatch), your phosphate is probably much higher than your tests indicate.

I have been actively trying to reduce my phophates over the last few months, and have been somewhat succesfull in keeping them down. I have been running some sort of GFO (Granulated Ferric Oxyide) such as phosban in a phosban reactor, and I have become very picky about what I feed my tank.

I have been told that many, many frozen foods contain excess phosphates. I have only tested one, Marine Cuisine wich did contain unacceptable high phosphates. Many people suggest rinsing your frozen foods, although this helped somewhat, it did no alleviate the problem sufficiently and as such I will no longer use it, even though I have a freezer full of it.

 

[melbourne]

I found by cutting back on my feedings and skimming a little wetter helped with phosphate levels. The feeding part really helped the most. I also run a Phosban reactor which always helps.

 

[Bob 1000]

I ran a phosban reactor for a while and after around 9 months it didn't do the trick in my fowlr. I agree with the others watch the food input type I switched almost all over to pellets... Formula one. I now use coralife phosphate remover that works better in larger systems 250 total water volume and up..but I will try skimming a little wetter also now that I see that as a solution...My phosphates are very low now for about 6 months now..