Where Do You Keep Your Phosphates at For SPS?

[Confuse]

Just wondering where you SPS guys keep your phosphates at for best growth/color. I just tested for the first time in months and my phosphates are at a whopping .08. I know high. Have just been lazy with the tank. There's very little algae, but my SPS were suffering. Anyways, would love to hear some feedback as to where you keep your phosphates at!

 

[xmas_one]

I'm shooting for ≤0.06.

 

[pirate2876]

I stopped testing for it.

 

[pciscott]

I shoot for .05 to .08, but do not see any problems at .1, just means I am ready for a water change or add some gfo. I think you should check your nitrate if your corals are looking hungry? Nitrate I shoot for 5 to 10, but do not worry to much until it hits 25 to 30 range.

When my numbers start to hit the top numbers of the range I shoot for I cut back on fish feeding and adding extra food to the tank for corals And clean my skimmer cup. Within a few days I am back down to bottom numbers of the range I shoot for.

I can tell when my Phosphate is creeping up towards the higher end of my range when my glass gets algae quicker than three days after cleaning as a gauge. I try to test once a week, but I do check my alk every other day.

 

[GoReef165]

I'm at 0.03 now and still get some algae growth. I know this is more than just a phosphate issue. The SPS in my tank always seem pretty happy.

 

[Reefcube29]

Mines at .04 just finished testing

 

[joseserrano]

I keep it anywhere under 0.10. Tend to stay around the .05 range

 

[Mr. Plant]

I also try and keep it under 0.10. More important keep it stable… Thats why I like large tanks, easier to do

 

[JOSE CASAS]

on the Hanna meter .00-.05

 

[solitude127]

I think a lot depends on what you're using to check. I find the Hanna checkers to a little off compared to the Hanna Meter.

 

[JOSE CASAS]

Yes I have noticed the same thing. ^^^^

 

[Hardridge]

I think a lot depends on what you're using to check. I find the Hanna checkers to a little off compared to the Hanna Meter.

So if cker reads 0 it's wrong

 

[solitude127]

So if cker reads 0 it's wrong

There's a +/- for the checker. I think it's like .02

 

[BigDaddyStar]

I shoot for 0.01 to 0.05..i do like to see I am seeing something on the hanna. usually test 0 though since I tend to check after I change gfo. usuallay with new gfo it reads 0. towards the end of the month it will usually read around 0.05