High Phosphates (1 Viewer)

[heartdoc]

I have a 60 gallon cube tank and have been having problems with my phosphates. I think that my bio-load may be a bit high with 10 fish and 2 tangs but I also have a canister filter that may also be a problem.

spec gravity 1.025
pH 8
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 5
kH 11
phos .9
calcium 480

40 lbs live rock and 20 lbs live sand
Aquamax HOB skimmer

I used some Kents Phosphate spong in my canister for 48 hours and it brought the phosphate down to 0.5.
I then replaced the sponge with a bag of GFO in my canister it did not change after several days. Finally went and put in some
Aqua Vision Aquatics Phosphate Solution drops and it is now 0.11. Does anyone have any idea what I should do next? Should I re-dose with the phosphate solution or does anyone know of any problems with it? I am thinking about chunking the canister (Magnum 350) and getting a Wet/Dry sump system. I would get rid of some fish but my wife has become attached to some of them so I think that I am stuck with what I have. On a bright note, my hard and soft corals look great. I have a rose bubble tip anemone that is also thriving. I guess that the tangs are keeping the hair algae at bay because I don't have any yet. I am just worried about my phosphates and want to get them down once and for all before my corals start bleaching. Have thought about a phosphate reactor but would like to hold down adding appliances unless I have to. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[tektite]

First, Welcome to MARSH

Couple questions - what do you feed the tank (kinds of food/how much/how often)? Where are you getting your new saltwater/topoff water from? Those two things are the main sources of adding phosphate to your tank. Canister filters would only add nitrates, it wouldn't be affecting phosphate at all.

 

[heartdoc]

I forgot to say that I have a Ro/DI unit that I use for water changes and top offs. I usually feed with frozen brine shrimp or else Nori. I have recently started to rinse the brine shrimp cubes.

 

[soymilk]

High nutrient levels are always going to be a problem if you stock your tank heaviely. Consider selling some fish or looking into several advanced methods of dealing with high phosphate.

Or else your only option is to use media that absorbs phosphate (like gfo youve been using) but this will cost you a lot in the long run. Consider fish pellets in a rotation with the brine shrimp. usually food pellets will not pollute your tank water like how frozen foods would.