Struggling to keep Phosphates and Nitrates under Control

kaijor · Sep 9, 2023

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal said:
How long has this tank been set up? From what you've posted in this thread, you seem to have some vague ideas about "good" levels of some things (nitrate, phosphate, TDS), but it's unclear if there's really anything wrong with your water. As others have said, in a small tank, especially one with no coral, water changes are usually sufficient to maintain good water quality. No need to even test for magnesium/calcium if all you have in the tank is a clown and an eel.

Just trying to understand what help you really need, if any.

Sorry, I do have an algae problem and I do have corals. I have a few Zoas, a blasting coral, two mushrooms. They aren’t doing so well.

kaijor · Sep 9, 2023

Pistondog said:
Elimi phos rapid is lanthanum based. A good tool that requires some caution when using. Search other lanthanum chloride threads here prioir to use.

Definitely will thanks. Are there any threads you would recommend?

Rp8 · Sep 9, 2023

kaijor said:
I'm currently running a 32 Biocube.

Here is livestock:
1 Clownfish (going to be getting a female soon)
1 Snowflake Eel

Parameters:
Nitrates 34.6 PPM
PH 8.1
Phosphate: 0.49 PPM

I'm trying to get phosphates down to 0.003 at least. I've added a refugium recently so I think that'll help. I've had it for about 2 weeks. I'm hoping it'll lower the nutrients in a tank a bit.

From my own reflection of my tank, I think there are two areas where I think I can improve. One is quality of saltwater and the other is chemical filtration.

As for the quality of my saltwater, I'm going to try to go to a different LPS see if their saltwater is better this weekend. The old one I was going to had TDS over 90 which I don't think really is the type of quality of water I'm looking for. Worst case, I'll just use my own system of RODI.

My real question relates to chemical filtration though. So far, I'm using GFO (8 TBS) and ROX 0.8 (3.2 TBS). Is this enough? I was also thinking of using chemipure elite as well. Are other chemical filtration options that I can add that might lead to some success with lower my phosphates and nitrates?

I use 8 tbs in my 180. Is it growing algae crazy? If not I wouldn’t sweat it.