Phosphate question?

[Woody570]

Then I would not start feeding more to raise pO4.

Cleaner right now is way better than a certain # of pO4 that really does not matter right now.

Okay , so when the time comes to try a coral out is that when you would recommend looking more into that. Iam dying to put something in the tank. When would I know when to introduce a coral. I was just testing everything trying to get familiar with all of it.

 

[14 foot reef]

Okay , so when the time comes to try a coral out is that when you would recommend looking more into that. Iam dying to put something in the tank. When would I know when to introduce a coral. I was just testing everything trying to get familiar with all of it.

This is a super loaded question .... HeHe

First of all welcome to this great hobby, I've had a Saltwater take in my home/homes for 45 years. Can't imagine not having my salty friends in our life.

A few words of advise along with a couple questions. Questions first...........................

Do you have a LFS (local fish store) near you. If so are the very knowledgeable, and do you trust them for guidance? Do they care more about the animals or the sale ?
Don't just do what they say without questioning their advice.
Research research research !!!!!!
Refrain from impulse buying fish or corals you don't know about very well. Always pause, ask, and learn.

Do you have a friend or local acquaintance in the hobby ? That's always a huge help.

Pick a mentor online that you trust and follow his or her path. Don't try multiple paths together.

Try not to take advice from people that can share their journey in saltwater with you. They should be willing to share the good and bad.

Don't rely on InstaGram for inspiration and guidance. That will be a heartbreaking path. IG has its plus's for sure, but most is not realistic for a beginner to focus on.

This forum is the best that there is, but there is conflicting personalities and process as with any forum.

Good Luck my new friend, enjoy and learn !!!!

 

[Woody570]

This is a super loaded question .... HeHe

First of all welcome to this great hobby, I've had a Saltwater take in my home/homes for 45 years. Can't imagine not having my salty friends in our life.

A few words of advise along with a couple questions. Questions first...........................

Do you have a LFS (local fish store) near you. If so are the very knowledgeable, and do you trust them for guidance? Do they care more about the animals or the sale ?
Don't just do what they say without questioning their advice.
Research research research !!!!!!
Refrain from impulse buying fish or corals you don't know about very well. Always pause, ask, and learn.

Do you have a friend or local acquaintance in the hobby ? That's always a huge help.

Pick a mentor online that you trust and follow his or her path. Don't try multiple paths together.

Try not to take advice from people that can share their journey in saltwater with you. They should be willing to share the good and bad.

Don't rely on InstaGram for inspiration and guidance. That will be a heartbreaking path. IG has its plus's for sure, but most is not realistic for a beginner to focus on.

This forum is the best that there is, but there is conflicting personalities and process as with any forum.

Good Luck my new friend, enjoy and learn !!!!

Thank you for all help really appreciate it. I do have a good store that I go to and seem very knowledgeable but don't push you to buy anything. I don't know many people if any in my area that are doing reef tanks unfortunately! So far the cycling and introduction of fish have been successful because of people like you on this site. Thank you again!!

 

[Reef.]

Okay , so when the time comes to try a coral out is that when you would recommend looking more into that. Iam dying to put something in the tank. When would I know when to introduce a coral. I was just testing everything trying to get familiar with all of it.

You can put coral in from near enough day one but the thing is you need to keep the parameters stable, that is why many suggest you wait as a new tank is hard to keep stable and a new tank also can mean a new reefer so they are on a learning curve.

Once you are happy you can keep your salinity and alk stable you can try a cheap coral, see how you go

 

[Woody570]

You can put coral in from near enough day one but the thing is you need to keep the parameters stable, that is why many suggest you wait as a new tank is hard to keep stable and a new tank also can mean a new reefer so they are on a learning curve.

Once you are happy you can keep your salinity and alk stable you can try a cheap coral, see how you go

That makes total sense. I guess that is why I was testing phosphates just to see where I was if I was putting coral in.

 

[Reeferbadness]

I hope u ordered the Ultra Low Hanna phos checker - this will really help u dial in values between 0.02 - 0.1 - the sweet spot for most corals. Some Hanna ( Phos and Alk) are great, some not so much ( Calcium, Magnesium ) - it’s just a matter of finding the right kit for the right measurement

 

[Obriy]

I've been in the same boat before and, from what I've learned, most of dry rock retain any phosphates produced by your tank bacteria until it is fully saturated. Then, the rock will start leaching phosphates back to the water.
I would recommend to read replies by Randy Holmes-Farley to the post linked below for alternatives to NeoPhos:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/best-way-to-increase-phosphate.1057991/

 

[Reef.]

I've been in the same boat before and, from what I've learned, most of dry rock retain any phosphates produced by your tank bacteria until it is fully saturated. Then, the rock will start leaching phosphates back to the water.
I would recommend to read replies by Randy Holmes-Farley to the post linked below for alternatives to NeoPhos:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/best-way-to-increase-phosphate.1057991/

Or just use Real Reef Rock, the inside is solid concrete, I thought of this as a negative once, but after using other rocks that soak up po4, I now see it as a plus.
Yes it’ll hold less bacteria but if you have sand you’ll have more than enough bacteria for the tank.

 

[sixty_reefer]

There is usually two reasons that can go with a new tank having a higher demand for phosphate in the early days.

1. The absorption ability of aragonite surfaces in your tank, that will absorb phosphate until a equilibrium is reached.
2. The creation and multiplication of biofilms and other macroscopic organisms. Phosphate is a essential nutrient to create tissue. On a new experiment I’m carrying out I’ve seen a 1.1 ppm phosphate demand in the first two weeks that goes in line with the second option.

As others mentioned earlier in the thread try and read on the subject and make your own educated decision on the subject.

 

[Happy Clam]

I just ordered the hannah phosphate checker lol I have a very hard time differentiating the color. Thank you for the heads up

ULR in PPM, do not buy the wrong Checker there is 4 different ones from BRS

 

[Reef.]

ULR in PPM, do not buy the wrong Checker there is 4 different ones from BRS

774 model number is the one I recommend.