viper357
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I have put together bits and pieces of information regarding phosphate, let's discuss the causes of phosphate and also ways to control it in our aquariums.
Phosphate (PO4) is a very important parameter that needs to be kept in check in a marine aquarium. A build up of phosphate can lead to problems with nuisance algae, sometimes to such an extent that a hobbyist may very well leave the hobby due to an ongoing and seemingly never-ending battle with algae.
It is very difficult to measure phosphate accurately as there is organic and inorganic phosphate. Most test kits test the latter, which usually test low due to the algae consuming it as quickly as it is produced. Efficient skimming will reduce the organic PO4 while phosphate remover such as rowaphos will take care of inorganic PO4. One should also take into account that phosphate may reduce calcification in sps, lps and coralline algae. Caulerpa or Chaetomorpha based sumps/refugiums help to reduce phosphate and nitrate levels.
It is always better to lean towards prevention as being better than cure (get rid of the source), using RO water is a good place to start.
Let us share and discuss/debate some common causes of phosphate build up:
Low quality RO water or tap water
Overfeeding or using food that contains PO4
Carbon with phosphate content
Insufficient skimming
Insufficient filtration
Low quality salt mixes/nsw
Low ph/kh - apparently if your ph is low, the phospate that was bound to the calcium will dissolve and become soluble thereby releasing the phosphate back into the system .
Phosphate (PO4) is a very important parameter that needs to be kept in check in a marine aquarium. A build up of phosphate can lead to problems with nuisance algae, sometimes to such an extent that a hobbyist may very well leave the hobby due to an ongoing and seemingly never-ending battle with algae.
It is very difficult to measure phosphate accurately as there is organic and inorganic phosphate. Most test kits test the latter, which usually test low due to the algae consuming it as quickly as it is produced. Efficient skimming will reduce the organic PO4 while phosphate remover such as rowaphos will take care of inorganic PO4. One should also take into account that phosphate may reduce calcification in sps, lps and coralline algae. Caulerpa or Chaetomorpha based sumps/refugiums help to reduce phosphate and nitrate levels.
It is always better to lean towards prevention as being better than cure (get rid of the source), using RO water is a good place to start.
Let us share and discuss/debate some common causes of phosphate build up:
Low quality RO water or tap water
Overfeeding or using food that contains PO4
Carbon with phosphate content
Insufficient skimming
Insufficient filtration
Low quality salt mixes/nsw
Low ph/kh - apparently if your ph is low, the phospate that was bound to the calcium will dissolve and become soluble thereby releasing the phosphate back into the system .