Need MORE help with Phosphates...

[Mort]

Recently, I asked some questions on how to reduce phosphates.

Among the suggestions that I followed were....

Get a refugium...
I did the best I could, I have 5 different types of plants growing in the
sump of my wet/dry with a light on them 24/7. The plants have gone mad and
are growing like crazy!

Try various phosphate removers...
I Tried PhosGuard from Sea Chem
then I tried the pads from Tropical Science,
and then I tried Kent's Phosphate Sponge.

My Phosphates are still between .1 and .25 =(
Although they have gone down, they are still too high.

I've gotted the impression that phosphates and silica may be related
somehow. Just some things on the directions on some of the products that I
didnt understand entirely...
Something about, this product will remove silicates as well but all the
phosphates must be removed first.
I don't know, it almost sounds like phosphates may come frome silica as it
breaks down? <-- WAG

My DSB consits mainly of Southdown but I did re use maybe 50 lbs of sand
that was included w/ my setup when I bought it (used) and it is entirely
possible it may have been silica sand. Could that be the source of my
problem?

Also, I have read a few things about DSBs and LR become saturated with
phosphates over time.
My reef is going on 9 months old. Is that enough time for this saturation
thing to take place?

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

~Mort

[Marc Levenson]

Why don't you have your LFS test for phosphates as well, to compare your kit's
results to theirs?

Marc


Mort wrote:

> Recently, I asked some questions on how to reduce phosphates.
>
> Among the suggestions that I followed were....
>
> Get a refugium...
> I did the best I could, I have 5 different types of plants growing in the
> sump of my wet/dry with a light on them 24/7. The plants have gone mad and
> are growing like crazy!
>
> Try various phosphate removers...
> I Tried PhosGuard from Sea Chem
> then I tried the pads from Tropical Science,
> and then I tried Kent's Phosphate Sponge.
>
> My Phosphates are still between .1 and .25 =(
> Although they have gone down, they are still too high.
>
> I've gotted the impression that phosphates and silica may be related
> somehow. Just some things on the directions on some of the products that I
> didnt understand entirely...
> Something about, this product will remove silicates as well but all the
> phosphates must be removed first.
> I don't know, it almost sounds like phosphates may come frome silica as it
> breaks down? <-- WAG
>
> My DSB consits mainly of Southdown but I did re use maybe 50 lbs of sand
> that was included w/ my setup when I bought it (used) and it is entirely
> possible it may have been silica sand. Could that be the source of my
> problem?
>
> Also, I have read a few things about DSBs and LR become saturated with
> phosphates over time.
> My reef is going on 9 months old. Is that enough time for this saturation
> thing to take place?
>
> Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.
>
> ~Mort

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Mort]

Good idea Marc. I think I'll try that. Thanks.


"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> Why don't you have your LFS test for phosphates as well, to compare your
kit's
> results to theirs?
>
> Marc
>
>
> Mort wrote:
>
> > Recently, I asked some questions on how to reduce phosphates.
> >
> > Among the suggestions that I followed were....
> >
> > Get a refugium...
> > I did the best I could, I have 5 different types of plants growing in
the
> > sump of my wet/dry with a light on them 24/7. The plants have gone mad
and
> > are growing like crazy!
> >
> > Try various phosphate removers...
> > I Tried PhosGuard from Sea Chem
> > then I tried the pads from Tropical Science,
> > and then I tried Kent's Phosphate Sponge.
> >
> > My Phosphates are still between .1 and .25 =(
> > Although they have gone down, they are still too high.
> >
> > I've gotted the impression that phosphates and silica may be related
> > somehow. Just some things on the directions on some of the products
that I
> > didnt understand entirely...
> > Something about, this product will remove silicates as well but all the
> > phosphates must be removed first.
> > I don't know, it almost sounds like phosphates may come frome silica as
it
> > breaks down? <-- WAG
> >
> > My DSB consits mainly of Southdown but I did re use maybe 50 lbs of sand
> > that was included w/ my setup when I bought it (used) and it is entirely
> > possible it may have been silica sand. Could that be the source of my
> > problem?
> >
> > Also, I have read a few things about DSBs and LR become saturated with
> > phosphates over time.
> > My reef is going on 9 months old. Is that enough time for this
saturation
> > thing to take place?
> >
> > Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.
> >
> > ~Mort
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>

[Simon O'Keeffe]

There is no relationship between silicate and phosphate.
Unless your an alchemist.
One is PO4 the other Si04
You simply can not make a phosphate atom into a silicon atom.
Give the 'fuge some time to strip the PO4 from the water if this does
not happen you need more light over the fuge or need to add less
phosphate. Your most likely source is top off and replacement water,
then food.Phosphate is not able to be fixed like nitrogen from the
atmosphere so it must be being added by you somehow.

Simon

Mort wrote:

>Good idea Marc. I think I'll try that. Thanks.
>
>
>"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
>
>
>>Why don't you have your LFS test for phosphates as well, to compare your
>>
>>
>kit's
>
>
>>results to theirs?
>>
>>Marc
>>
>>
>>Mort wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>Recently, I asked some questions on how to reduce phosphates.
>>>
>>>Among the suggestions that I followed were....
>>>
>>>Get a refugium...
>>>I did the best I could, I have 5 different types of plants growing in
>>>
>>>
>the
>
>
>>>sump of my wet/dry with a light on them 24/7. The plants have gone mad
>>>
>>>
>and
>
>
>>>are growing like crazy!
>>>
>>>Try various phosphate removers...
>>>I Tried PhosGuard from Sea Chem
>>>then I tried the pads from Tropical Science,
>>>and then I tried Kent's Phosphate Sponge.
>>>
>>>My Phosphates are still between .1 and .25 =(
>>>Although they have gone down, they are still too high.
>>>
>>>I've gotted the impression that phosphates and silica may be related
>>>somehow. Just some things on the directions on some of the products
>>>
>>>
>that I
>
>
>>>didnt understand entirely...
>>>Something about, this product will remove silicates as well but all the
>>>phosphates must be removed first.
>>>I don't know, it almost sounds like phosphates may come frome silica as
>>>
>>>
>it
>
>
>>>breaks down? <-- WAG
>>>
>>>My DSB consits mainly of Southdown but I did re use maybe 50 lbs of sand
>>>that was included w/ my setup when I bought it (used) and it is entirely
>>>possible it may have been silica sand. Could that be the source of my
>>>problem?
>>>
>>>Also, I have read a few things about DSBs and LR become saturated with
>>>phosphates over time.
>>>My reef is going on 9 months old. Is that enough time for this
>>>
>>>
>saturation
>
>
>>>thing to take place?
>>>
>>>Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.
>>>
>>>~Mort
>>>
>>>
>>--
>>Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
>>Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
>>Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>

[ljtellef]

Forgive me if I missed part of the thread and I do not mean to be a smart
a$$, but why are you so upset about having these phosphates?

Are you having an algae outbreak or are you trying to get to 0 b.c that's
what we're "supposed to do"?

Are you using tap water for water changes and\or top off?



"Mort" > wrote in message
.. .
> Recently, I asked some questions on how to reduce phosphates.
>
> Among the suggestions that I followed were....
>
> Get a refugium...
> I did the best I could, I have 5 different types of plants growing in the
> sump of my wet/dry with a light on them 24/7. The plants have gone mad
> and
> are growing like crazy!
>
> Try various phosphate removers...
> I Tried PhosGuard from Sea Chem
> then I tried the pads from Tropical Science,
> and then I tried Kent's Phosphate Sponge.
>
> My Phosphates are still between .1 and .25 =(
> Although they have gone down, they are still too high.
>
> I've gotted the impression that phosphates and silica may be related
> somehow. Just some things on the directions on some of the products that
> I
> didnt understand entirely...
> Something about, this product will remove silicates as well but all the
> phosphates must be removed first.
> I don't know, it almost sounds like phosphates may come frome silica as it
> breaks down? <-- WAG
>
> My DSB consits mainly of Southdown but I did re use maybe 50 lbs of sand
> that was included w/ my setup when I bought it (used) and it is entirely
> possible it may have been silica sand. Could that be the source of my
> problem?
>
> Also, I have read a few things about DSBs and LR become saturated with
> phosphates over time.
> My reef is going on 9 months old. Is that enough time for this saturation
> thing to take place?
>
> Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.
>
> ~Mort
>
>
>

[CapFusion]

Phosphate you getting probably from the following:
Water source - top off.
Food - feeding.

Do you have RO or RO/DI for your water source or tap?
Too many feeding or food you feed may leech out. Most likely flake type.

CapFusion,...


"Mort" > wrote in message
.. .
> Recently, I asked some questions on how to reduce phosphates.
>
> Among the suggestions that I followed were....
>
> Get a refugium...
> I did the best I could, I have 5 different types of plants growing in the
> sump of my wet/dry with a light on them 24/7. The plants have gone mad
and
> are growing like crazy!
>
> Try various phosphate removers...
> I Tried PhosGuard from Sea Chem
> then I tried the pads from Tropical Science,
> and then I tried Kent's Phosphate Sponge.
>
> My Phosphates are still between .1 and .25 =(
> Although they have gone down, they are still too high.
>
> I've gotted the impression that phosphates and silica may be related
> somehow. Just some things on the directions on some of the products that
I
> didnt understand entirely...
> Something about, this product will remove silicates as well but all the
> phosphates must be removed first.
> I don't know, it almost sounds like phosphates may come frome silica as it
> breaks down? <-- WAG
>
> My DSB consits mainly of Southdown but I did re use maybe 50 lbs of sand
> that was included w/ my setup when I bought it (used) and it is entirely
> possible it may have been silica sand. Could that be the source of my
> problem?
>
> Also, I have read a few things about DSBs and LR become saturated with
> phosphates over time.
> My reef is going on 9 months old. Is that enough time for this saturation
> thing to take place?
>
> Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.
>
> ~Mort
>
>
>

[CapFusion]

"CapFusion" <CapFusion...@hotmail..,com> wrote in message news:...
> Phosphate you getting probably from the following:
> Water source - top off.
> Food - feeding.
>
> Do you have RO or RO/DI for your water source or tap?
> Too many feeding or food you feed may leech out. Most likely flake type.
>
> CapFusion,...
>
>
> "Mort" > wrote in message
> .. .
> > Recently, I asked some questions on how to reduce phosphates.
> >
> > Among the suggestions that I followed were....
> >
> > Get a refugium...
> > I did the best I could, I have 5 different types of plants growing in
the
> > sump of my wet/dry with a light on them 24/7. The plants have gone mad
> and
> > are growing like crazy!
> >
> > Try various phosphate removers...
> > I Tried PhosGuard from Sea Chem
> > then I tried the pads from Tropical Science,
> > and then I tried Kent's Phosphate Sponge.
> >
> > My Phosphates are still between .1 and .25 =(
> > Although they have gone down, they are still too high.
> >
> > I've gotted the impression that phosphates and silica may be related
> > somehow. Just some things on the directions on some of the products
that
> I
> > didnt understand entirely...
> > Something about, this product will remove silicates as well but all the
> > phosphates must be removed first.
> > I don't know, it almost sounds like phosphates may come frome silica as
it
> > breaks down? <-- WAG
> >
> > My DSB consits mainly of Southdown but I did re use maybe 50 lbs of sand
> > that was included w/ my setup when I bought it (used) and it is entirely
> > possible it may have been silica sand. Could that be the source of my
> > problem?
> >
> > Also, I have read a few things about DSBs and LR become saturated with
> > phosphates over time.
> > My reef is going on 9 months old. Is that enough time for this
saturation
> > thing to take place?
> >
> > Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.
> >
> > ~Mort
> >
> >
> >
>
>

[Mort]

"ljtellef" > wrote in message
...
> Forgive me if I missed part of the thread and I do not mean to be a smart
> a$$, but why are you so upset about having these phosphates?


I have read that phosphates can retard coral growth and subsequently inhibit
coralline algae from spreading.
Also, I have some green button pollyps that look like $h!+ and I am assuming
that is why.

>
> Are you having an algae outbreak or are you trying to get to 0 b.c that's
> what we're "supposed to do"?

I was having a cyano problem but that has subsided substantially since I
added some plants to my sump.


>
> Are you using tap water for water changes and\or top off?


RO/DI but I am due for some filter changes. I am picking them up this week.

~Mort



>
>
>
> "Mort" > wrote in message
> .. .
> > Recently, I asked some questions on how to reduce phosphates.
> >
> > Among the suggestions that I followed were....
> >
> > Get a refugium...
> > I did the best I could, I have 5 different types of plants growing in
the
> > sump of my wet/dry with a light on them 24/7. The plants have gone mad
> > and
> > are growing like crazy!
> >
> > Try various phosphate removers...
> > I Tried PhosGuard from Sea Chem
> > then I tried the pads from Tropical Science,
> > and then I tried Kent's Phosphate Sponge.
> >
> > My Phosphates are still between .1 and .25 =(
> > Although they have gone down, they are still too high.
> >
> > I've gotted the impression that phosphates and silica may be related
> > somehow. Just some things on the directions on some of the products
that
> > I
> > didnt understand entirely...
> > Something about, this product will remove silicates as well but all the
> > phosphates must be removed first.
> > I don't know, it almost sounds like phosphates may come frome silica as
it
> > breaks down? <-- WAG
> >
> > My DSB consits mainly of Southdown but I did re use maybe 50 lbs of sand
> > that was included w/ my setup when I bought it (used) and it is entirely
> > possible it may have been silica sand. Could that be the source of my
> > problem?
> >
> > Also, I have read a few things about DSBs and LR become saturated with
> > phosphates over time.
> > My reef is going on 9 months old. Is that enough time for this
saturation
> > thing to take place?
> >
> > Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.
> >
> > ~Mort
> >
> >
> >
>
>