Phosphate issues.

[chrono]

As the title says, I have phosphate issues. My tank just hit a year old and has went downhill fast in the last month. All my clove pollups, branching GSP, some zoa colonies, some mushrooms, and a few other corals have died. But hey, thats what happens when you get comfortable and start slacking on tank maintenances.

So in the last week i have done a 10% water change then 3 gallons every day since. My water parameters are all good (i think) except phosphate.
0ppm nitrate
0ppm amonia
.25 phosphate
460 calcium
161 Dkh
1.25 salinity
78-79 degrees (turns out my temp gauge was broken and tank has been running at like 83-85 for who knows how long.

I'm thinking of running phosban in a media bag along with carbon. I would love to run something else but I have no room under my tank for anything besides the basics. is there anything else I should try, or will that be my best bet? Also want try adding cheato (is that how you spell it?) But can't seem to find it at the LFS. This is my first tank, so new to the battle.

Also, would phosphates cause some of my zoas to close up and shink away? they also have a light brown algea on them.

Ugh. This reefing thing can be stressful. Any advice and thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

60G cube
30G sump
C7 skimmer
2 rw-8
Smart ATO
Maxspect r420r 16k
Just run a sock, skimmer, live sand with rubble, and return pump in my sump. Pretty basic setup.

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[dontavo27]

[MENTION=10185]chrono[/MENTION] I wouldn't worry to much about the phosphates, Zoas should do well under those conditions.
It could be a placement issue, or maybe you can try and brush some of whatever is on them and give the a quick peroxide bath. Stick to weekly10% water changes and change out the socks at least once a week.
What kind of skimmer are you running?

 

[chrono]

Bubble magnus c7. And i did a peroxide dip day before yesterday and am planning another one tonight. Also moved them to a higher flow area. I was living at work the last couple months and had no drive to do maintenance when i got home besides topping off the ATO res. I wonder if the heat was what killed them along with salinity swings. My wife is a stay at home mom and instead of refilling the ATO when the alarm went off she would just unplug it (because the alarm annoys her) and then forget to tell me so a couple times a month my sump would be 3 gallons low from evap. also changed from instant ocean reef crystals to red sea pro about 2 months ago. But that shouldn't be causing a problem...

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[Reeferfourlife]

It's weird how you have 0 nitrate but have .25 phos. What test kit are using for testing both? Might want to double check your test results with another kit or bring sample to lfs.

 

[mrtian97]

consider adding temp controller , like Runco

 

[OGFrenchHorn]

Whats your magnesium level at? I have the same phosphate issue. Nopox keeps it in check down to .06ppm

 

[mr_tap_water]

if you're No3 & Phos readings are correct ,You need to feed a little bit heavier to give something for the Phos Feed on.


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[theMerchant]

Use rowaphos in a reactor or in a bag in a high flow sump area, but start with small amounts.
+1 on a temp controller

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[theMerchant]

Maybe you need a larger ato container if you don't check it often. I found a nice 5g one, I reviewed it in the product review section.

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[chrono]

I am debating on hetting a reef keeper lite or something along that line. Been waiting on a good deal on a apex to come up, but when they do i am not quick enough to get it.

I do not know my mag level and that is the next test i will buy. Im just torn on brand since it aint cheap i dont want to regret my purchase. As of now i test with a API reef kit (i know they're junk).

And i have definitely ramped up my feeding (used to only feed pellets every other day). I feed pellets twice a day now and broadcast frozen when i have the return off, also am doing photofeast and reef energy A B while the return is off for a half hour a day.

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[BeanMachine]

It's weird how you have 0 nitrate but have .25 phos. What test kit are using for testing both? Might want to double check your test results with another kit or bring sample to lfs.

Why is that weird?

Bacteria needs both, so if your nitrates are zero its normal for your phosphates to go up and up if you are not doing anything to reduce them (ie chemical filtration or water changes). This is a common problem for Bio Pellet users, including when I was using them.

 

[theMerchant]

What kind if livestock do you keep? Every other day seems cruel lol.
I use red sea for mag. Pretty sure you can go above the 1300 level and still be ok.
Main thing is to make small changes over time

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[Reeferfourlife]

Why is that weird?

Bacteria needs both, so if your nitrates are zero its normal for your phosphates to go up and up if you are not doing anything to reduce them (ie chemical filtration or water changes). This is a common problem for Bio Pellet users, including when I was using them.

Yea for bio pellet user. But op didn't say hes using it. There should be some hint on nitrate with phos at .25. Unless hes using somekind of carbon. Just wondering if hes using different test kits for each at the beginning post date. Now i know hes using api, very misleading test kit

 

[chrono]

Use rowaphos in a reactor or in a bag in a high flow sump area, but start with small amounts.
+1 on a temp controller

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I have phosban in a bag that my drain dumps on now. Will be testing phosphate tonight and see if it has brought it down.

And I'm very limited on space. My ATO container is in the kitchen in a cupboard that feeds through the wall to the tank. The reason i chose a 60G cube was it was the biggest tank i could fit in a dead unusable space between the kitchen and hallway. My sump takes up every inch of the stand so i have no room.

as you can see there is a doorway on each side of the tank so i have to work with what i got and wife wont let me modify the cupboard to fit a bigger res. ( dont mind the dog. This was the only pic on my phone that showed my limited space).

I have set alarms on my phone now for a tank schedule. Everyday it goes off to remind me to feed, add reef energy, check ATO, and do a 3 gallon water change. Then have a alarm ser for twice a week to change filter sock, then once a week for the rest of the maintenance. Hopefully setting a routine well prevent another crash.

Use rowaphos in a reactor or in a bag in a high flow sump area, but start with small amounts.
+1 on a temp controller

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[chrono]

What kind if livestock do you keep? Every other day seems cruel lol.
I use red sea for mag. Pretty sure you can go above the 1300 level and still be ok.
Main thing is to make small changes over time

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I have a clown, melanarus wrasse, blue tang, and a zebra damsel (soon to be gone). But for the first 6-7 months i only had two damsels and the clown.

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[chrono]

Forgot to add i found this in my tank rusting away. i chipped a frag off this rock and found a rusted tube running down the center. Turns out somebody made this rock and did a good job because i thought it was natural. It was covered with neon clove pollups, but they died off real quick 2-3 months back.

i read a bunch of mixed reviews on rust in the tank. Its not going back in nomatter what though.

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[theMerchant]

^^that's definitely not good.
Are you sure the rest of your rock doesn't have metal pipes inside?

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[chrono]

Yeah, it was the only one. Had to rearrange the tank a bit after pulling this out. Bought my rock off a member on here a year ago. Didn't think i needed to run a metal detector over them before placing them.

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