High Phosphate?

[Marcosreef]

In deciding to do another water change, I tested my make-up water. To my surprise, it has 0.25 mg/l of phosphate. Then I tested the aquarium water, 0.1 mg/l phosphate. So to my surprise, I have been adding phosphate to my tank, with water changes and evaporation water. (BTW I use the Seachem test kit). Should I use a phosphate remover?

All this time while battling a cyano outbreak. I thought my TWP filter was doing a pretty good job. I'm dissapointed because the cartridge is only half done. Do I need to get a RO/DI unit? My 29 evaporates 1 gallon a day. My wife will finish me off for sure!

 

[SPC]

Posted by Marco:
All this time while battling a cyano outbreak. I thought my TWP filter was doing a pretty good job. I'm dissapointed because the cartridge is only half done. Do I need to get a RO/DI unit? My 29 evaporates 1 gallon a day. My wife will finish me off for sure!

I had the same problem when I used a TWP, I have a 5 stage RO/DI now and do not have this problem anymore. I know your diemma however trying to justify a RO/DI for a 29, but there still might be hope. Just think of that nasty water your family is drinking and your concern for their health

.
Steve

 

[Anonymous]

My TWP had phosphates also. I joined the "Jug Club" at Clean Water America. For $5 a month, you can have all off the water you can haul outta there. It's the best deal going if you are on a limited budget. I got sick of all the hauling and finally bought a 6 stage RO/DI. I think I paid around $250 for on ebay. It was money well spent.

I could probably dig out the info for where I got mine, if you are interested.

Later

 

[SPC]

Posted by Louey:
I joined the "Jug Club"

-Hmmm, I need to look into that

.
Steve

 

[rayjay]

Now, just put some of the food you feed into a container and stir in water for a while, and you'll see how much phosphate you add just from feeding the tank if you test that solution.

 

[Marcosreef]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by rayjay:
<strong>Now, just put some of the food you feed into a container and stir in water for a while, and you'll see how much phosphate you add just from feeding the tank if you test that solution.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I'm sure! I read somewhere that they preserve some frozen foods with phosphate... Just when you thought frozen foods were "better" for your fish.

Anyway, I'll probably pick up a Kent Marine Maxxima RO/DI HiS. New England water is high in nitrates and silicates. (Our tap water comes out of the Merrimack River).

Reefpure's prices seem really good, but i'm concerned about the quality of the DI resins and carbon blocks they use. After an exhaustive search, seems like many here use Reefpure's RO/DI systems.

 

[Liem]

I have been using a MT23 from Back to Nature Filtration for 9 years with good result. It costs me around $200. This is a 2 stage RO unit. The first stage is a 5um and carbon filter combination, the 2nd stage is the TFC membrane that does the RO the filtration. I replace the carbon prefilter every 4 to 6 months ($15) and the RO membrane every 2-3 years ($115). The unit produces ~24 gallons per day.
Call Ron Harlan, 818-248-7133 for more detail. I deal with him for 9 years now without any problem.
Similar RO filters can be found at HomeDepot or Lowe. They also have drinking kits that can be used for drinking water and thus provide legitimate excuse for buying. The water tastes very different (ie much better) from tap and some of the bottled water.
Liem.