Phosphate Question

[Fasthackem]

Hi All.

I need a little assistance.

I've had my 40g reef tank for about a year and a half now and have been nagged by Phosphate problems from the start.
Case in point. Two days ago i tested my phosphate and it seemed a little high, .14.
So I tested my RO tank and found the phosphates there reading .16.
I immediately changed out all the filter cartridges on the RO system, and at the same time replaced my 1.5 units of Chemipure, and changed out the Rowaphos I'm running full time in my reactor. I gave it 2 days and just did another check of the tank phosphate levels. .28! I'm really having a hard time understanding what's going on here and what I'm doing wrong. I'm always diligent about keeping my Reactor and Chemipure units fresh.
I'm feeding 3 times a day with Neptune System's Crossover Diet. Each feeding drops in about 25 grains, which is always immediately consumed.
I Magfloat clean the glass every 2 days to clear the slight haze of algae growth. It's always present and to me seems pretty normal.

I'm not too terribly concerned about the numbers because all the corals and fish are doing really well and are always colorful and healthy.

Any thoughts on my Phosphate?

Thanks
F-

 

[ENB]

Just a thought
Did you use live or dead rock to start?
I have heard that dead rock can leach phosphates and other things into the tank if not soaked for like 4 months prior to use.
I was wondering if my hair algae issues are filed by that because I use only RODI water to mix salt and top off also and that came up in my research.

 

[edd]

what kind of tester are you using and what are your other parameters.
sounds like a faulty test kit if ro water is higher than the tank water.

 

[Fasthackem]

It was dead when the tank was set up. Although it was soaked for at least a month before it went into the tank. Being a noob at the time I had professional assistance in the setup.

 

[QueensRob]

I agree with ENB. I have a friend who got rocks from a tank that wasn't using ro water and its been a year now, the rocks still leach phospates. Even when the readings are non existent he still have algae blooms. Just give it time but try to figure out if its the rocks or maybe some plastic feel in. I have heard of stuf like zip ties and wire insulators leaching phospates so look around your system.

 

[Fasthackem]

Edd

Hanna "Checker"

Calc: 426
Alk: 237
Salinity: 1.025
Temp: 78 (Constant)
Ph: Avg 8.2
Mag: 1400

 

[Fasthackem]

QueensRob/ENB

It's a possibility I suppose. But with readings so high after a year and a half?

 

[bkstang]

Dead rock would not leach phosphate after 18 months. I would double and triple check the Hana checker regents. These are the kind of readings I had when my regents were from a bad batch.

 

[Fasthackem]

bkstang

Funny you mention that. I just opened a new box of regents recently.
I'm going to order a new box today.

 

[edd]

bkstang

Funny you mention that. I just opened a new box of regents recently.
I'm going to order a new box today.

i recently ordered new reagents and when i added it to my sample it turned blue. i sent an email to hanna to see if it was normal, they said i had bad reagents and sent me new ones. no charge.
send hanna an email

 

[Fasthackem]

Thanks ddd

I just did a web search for bad Hanna Reagents.

Wouldn't you know it my Lot# H 050, as well as H 049 have defects in manufacturing.

I shot them an email.

Thanks everyone

 

[bkstang]

In the future, it's better in my opinion to buy a 100 pack of reagents. If it's good you will have it for a long time and if the tests are suspicious you have more sachets to test different samples. In my case I tested it several times, I sent an email to the manufacturer with copy of my receipt and I got the new box within 2 or 3 days.

 

[Djbetterly]

Thats interesting about the packets, I better check mine. I ran five samples last night on mine and all five came out at exactly 200ppb, I found that a bit suspicious.

 

[edd]

In the future, it's better in my opinion to buy a 100 pack of reagents. If it's good you will have it for a long time and if the tests are suspicious you have more sachets to test different samples. In my case I tested it several times, I sent an email to the manufacturer with copy of my receipt and I got the new box within 2 or 3 days.

if you buy 100 tests, they will most likely come from the same lot #. so if 1 is bad chances are their all bad.

 

[Fasthackem]

My new Reagents (from a different Lot#) arrived yesterday. .03. Problem solved. Still no reply from Hanna.

 

[Djbetterly]

That's crazy you haven't heard back from Hanna. I emailed them last night and had a response by 930am this morning.