Phosphate question

[DeNovice]

I have a newer tank setup. 20g AIO cube. That being said, I turned my middle chamber into a chaeto reactor and it doubled in size in about two weeks. I just tested my levels and came up with this -
Ammonia .25
Nitrate 0
Ph 8
Phosphate .25
Nitrite 0
Full disclosure I’m not 100% since I’m using the api test vials so I’m eyeballing as best I can. It was the day before my weekly water change but that phosphate is apparently really high? I know the chaeto needs nitrates and phosphate to grow which it clearly is chewing on but should I be concerned about the phosphate level or just give it time? I have a couple soft corals, a clown, cleaner shrimp, watchman goby and snails / hermits. I’ve learned the chaeto will stop growing without both nitrates and phosphate so since nitrates are at essentially zero and phosphate is high what do you guys recommend is my best course of action?

 

[Mikedawg]

Get better test kits and then determine if any action is necessary

 

[DeNovice]

Get better test kits and then determine if any action is necessary

Assuming I actually were somewhere in the neighborhood of .25 on phosphate would that be “concerning” or “wait a bit and see what happens with regular maintenance”?

 

[schuby]

Wait and see. 0.25ppm PO4 is slightly elevated but not terrible in any way. I'm more concerned with your NO3 (Nitrate) being zero. Bad things happen when PO4 or NO3 are at zero, such as dinos.

 

[DeNovice]

Wait and see. 0.25ppm PO4 is slightly elevated but not terrible in any way. I'm more concerned with your NO3 (Nitrate) being zero. Bad things happen when PO4 or NO3 are at zero, such as dinos.

Thank you. I doubt nitrates are truly zero. I messed up by spending money on those api kits. Should’ve just gone straight with the Hannah checkers up front. I do need a better test kit. I have some green algae but nothing crazy at this point.

 

[ReefRusty]

If you can get salifert its the way to go if you dont want to spend lots of money on Hanna checkers.. ive only got UL phosphorus and alkalinity. Try get those phosphate down over a couple weeks doing 25%WC If you can

 

[Mikedawg]

Some good advice above ime, and I like your plan option to do regular maintenance and see what happens. If your green algae isn't a problem then you have a pretty good indicator that your water parameters are sufficient. Hanna Checkers, Salifert, Nyos (best colorimeter test I think) may be more useful than what you are currently using.