Phosphate spike that won't go away

[prince]

I have a 155 gal. bow front glass tank. I have had it up and running for a year now. Everything has been great for the first 10 months . I suddenly have had a severe phosphate spike, up to 2.0, and the best I can get it down to is 1.5 - 1.0. I have completed multiple small water changes, 10 to 20 gal every 3-4 days. Not even a dilution. Then I have completed 50 gal. water change still not even a dilution 24-36 hrs later. I have used in addtion to the water changes, KENT phosphate sponge and have changed that out every 3 days. I have gone through nearly a gallon of the phosphate sponge. NO CHANGE. I have tested the water that I have done the water changes with and that water had "0" phosphates in it. I have a reef tank w/ Florida live rock. I have a few soft corals, 12 fish, many snails and crabs. and a large carpet anenome. I use R/O water and INSTANT OCEAN brand salt to make my water. I use mostly KENT products and supplements. I have asked several Salt water fish stores for advice and have had no luck. I have read what I could find and still can't find a cause for the High phosphates. I continuously have to clean the green algea off the glass. I would appreciate ANY help I can get, short of starting over again from the begining, on this problem.

Desparately,
Jim

 

[ricky1414]

it could be due to a faulty tester... just my .02

 

[ChrisRD]

Could you describe the setup a little more? For example, what do you have for substrate and how much? What are you using for a skimmer? What do you feed and how often? What do you have in the tank for bioload? Etc...

Also, have you switched foods lately? Using any new supplements? Are you 100% sure your RO is working correctly?

 

[mooner]

Usually phosphates are imported in the water you use. It sounds as if you are checking that though and got a 0 ppm reading. Weirdness.

I agree with the possibility of a bad test but you also have the algea problem which is indicative of phosphates. Hmmmm. Can you go to the LFS and get it checked to compare results? That might be a good start.

One way to verify your test kit is to do this: Test one gallon of your tank water then dilute it with one gallon of fresh RO that has been tested at 0 ppm. If your test is accurate you should see a 50% dilution. If it is not near 50% less in ppm your test is wacky. That's all I can think of to verify the test.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

 

[Jolieve]

Another thing to consider, is when is the last time you pulled your filter media and cleaned it? Carbon can filter phosphates out and leech them back into your system unless you remove it and replace it regularly (once every week). If you have an old carbon bag in there, ditch it.

Old flake food might be another possible source. You should toss out flake food after about six months and replace it with new.

J.

 

[Anonymous]

I would do a 20-30 percent water change. It is very possible that you are introducing phosphates during feedings. Read this. http://www.algone.com/phosphates.htm

 

[prince]

Hello everyone, thanks for replying so quickly. I appreciate all of your ideas. Had the water tested at an aquarium store and they used adifferent type type tester. It was the same readings.
She specifics of the tank equipment include 60lbs of substrate, coral gravel, a venturi protein skimmer, ~ a 45 gal wet/dry set up w/ bio balls, polyester batting that is changed every 2 weeks. I only run carbon for a week at a time and usually only 1 week a month. More than that, the calcium dumps and i have to play catch up.
I use a variety of food. I feed them once a day and only enough for them to eat up in 5 min. Flake & pellot are the dailyfeed. Weekely a strip of sea weed, and on occasion some frozen or live brine shimp. The Anenome has eated several of the most expensive fish, but mostly frozen silversides 2 times a week. Ill let you know how it works out.

Prince

 

[Jolieve]

I'd take out the bioballs a handful or so a week. These produce nitrates if not scrubbed regularly and could be contributing to your problems.

J.

 

[ricky1414]

definately think about swapping out the coral gravel for a fine(sugar crystal) sized sand. Crushed coral can trap detrius, leading to +++ phos and nitrate, even if you vacuum it.