Controlling Phosphate in Saltwater Aquaria by greg.chernoffTo take on the responsibility of maintaining a marine aquarium is to take a crash course in water chemistry. By the time you’ve successfully navigated the nitrogen cycle, you’re already faced with new, threatening chemical imbalances. Of these, one of the most persistent (though frequently unnoticed) is excessive phosphate. Perhaps the best way to start a conversation with aquarists about phosphate is to state its ecological importance. Phosphate is good, necessary even. Indeed, no known organism can survive without it. In other words, you cannot operate an aquarium for very long without it. So why is it treated like a deadly poison by some aquarists? Too Much of a Good Thing Being as phosphate is only minimally present in the air, the oceans take in very little phosphorus from the atmosphere. Phosphorus is rather transported to marine environments primarily by way of rivers. It is therefore more concentrated in coastal than in open ocean environments. It may exist as particulate organic phosphorus (e.g. detritus), dissolved organic phosphate (e.g. those embedded in certain fats and proteins) or dissolved inorganic phosphorus (e.g. phosphate). For the most part, as soon as phosphorus enters a marine ecosystem it is taken up by primary producers (mainly phytoplankton). This pathway in the cycle, known as the “biological pump,” delivers phosphorus locked up in biomass (carcasses, feces and so on) to the seafloor where it becomes part of the detritus pool. As detritivores consume and metabolize the material, they release phosphate into the surrounding waters. This inorganic phosphorus is returned by up-welling, oceanic water currents, etc. to the surface where it can again be assimilated by algae and other autotrophs. [macroalgae] Though it is vital, phosphate is generally required only in minute quantities. This creates serious problems in recirculating aquarium systems, where the rate of input can greatly exceed the sequestration/export rate. This elevates phosphate concentration far above optimal levels. Phosphate concentrations below 0.2 parts per million (ppm) are recommended for most reef systems. Nuisance algal growth usually becomes evident as phosphate concentrations exceed one or two ppm. Yet some poorly maintained systems can reach levels as high as 5.0 ppm or more. At these super levels, not only can bad algae grow at terrifyingly high rates; calcification is impeded in stony corals, very much adversely affecting their health. Saying Goodbye to Excess Phosphate Modern technology and advanced filtration/water treatment techniques are able to maintain extremely low phosphate levels. Still, it is quite rare for one to need to add phosphate directly to a reef tank. Far more often, reef aquaria are loaded with the stuff. There are a number of ways that one can limit the introduction of phosphorus into the system. These include: Avoiding use of untreated (i.e. not purified) tap water. Not overstocking livestock. Limiting amount food input. Using and regularly replacing special chemical filtrants. Consistently and frequently carrying out water changes. Installing a planted refugia. Carbon dosing. The surest way to remove phosphates (assuming purified freshwater is used to make the new saltwater) is old-fashioned aquarium water changes using purified make-up water. The same should be used for evaporation top-off. Even if you have installed top-of-the-line aquarium filtration equipment, regular water exchange is necessary for the long-term health of the system. The most efficient way to get rid of phosphate is to vacuum the substrate when removing old water. As this removes much more detritus, it helps to prevent the accumulation of phosphorus in settled particulate organic matter. A planted refugium is a very natural way to control nutrients including phosphate. The macroalgae assimilate phosphate and other nutrients as they grow. These nutrients are exported as portions of the algal mass are harvested and thrown out. Detritivorous microcrustaceans, such as copepods, heavily populate refugia; therefore, this method additionally helps to release phosphorus from detritus into phosphate, continuously fertilizing the macroalgae and preventing the stockpiling of phosphorus in settled particulates. Phytoplankton and certain bacterioplankton such as those in OceanMagik™ and PNS Probio™ similarly assimilate nutrient as above, but are exported primarily through protein skimming. There are chemical filtrants that absorb and hold onto phosphate. Both ferric iron granules and aluminum oxide beads are used pretty effectively for this purpose. Ferric iron is an especially strong phosphate scavenger but is prone to compaction/clumping; whenever used, it must be contained in a specialized tumbling media reactor. However, aluminum oxide does not clump and so can be held in a mesh bag and placed anywhere that it receives some water flow. Chemical filter pads offer even more control over phosphorus levels as they both remove particulate matter and absorb dissolved phosphate. Phosphates in Your Reef Dynamic nutrient-cycles are critical to the vitality of your captive ecosystem. In the usual aquarium, nutrients can build up rapidly. Keeping low fish-stocking densities, avoiding overfeeding and frequently replacing water changes is necessary to control nutrients such as phosphate. Because phosphate will (one way or another) find its way into your tank, you should check levels often. With some control over your phosphorus cycle, you can improve the health of your corals while limiting growth of unwanted algae! [macroalgae]
Asad Khan says November 25, 2019 at 3:09 pm You guys are killing it with these articles. I’m starting to gain more confidence that my algae outbreak will be over. Reply
Kelly Tompkins says November 25, 2019 at 3:52 pm I have the refugium, and after that carbon dosing article, I think I am going to go that route to keep my phosphates down. http://bit.ly/2PTnrN2 Reply
Jonathan says November 25, 2019 at 6:50 pm My corals use my nitrates and phosphates. I had to turn off all my phosphate removing media. Just my refugium now and corals look happy. Reply
Virginia says September 24, 2024 at 11:23 am My problem is the opposite. I have no phosphates and I know why. My understanding was that there should be no phosphates in the tank. So I started my tank on phosguard just in case, so that I didn’t get any algae at all. Huge mistake. My corals got stunted. I had hair like cottony algae. Now I am throwing out the Phisguard and just running Purigen. We’ll see what happens. Reply
Samantha Obergas says October 14, 2024 at 3:41 pm Thank you for sharing your experience—it’s a situation many reef keepers find themselves in! It’s a common misconception that zero phosphates is the goal, but as you’ve noticed, having some level of phosphate is actually crucial for the health of your corals. Phosphates, in the right amount, are a vital nutrient for corals and beneficial bacteria. Too little can indeed stunt coral growth and even lead to undesirable algae issues, as imbalanced nutrient levels can still promote algae growth. It sounds like you’re on the right track now by rethinking the use of Phosguard. Removing it and switching to Purigen is a good call to balance nutrient export without stripping the tank completely. I’d recommend testing your phosphate levels over the next few months to see how they stabilize, and aim for a small, stable amount rather than zero. Good luck, and feel free to update us on how it goes! Reply
Nickn says November 26, 2019 at 4:37 am I know i want to try and do it the more natural route so i think im going to do ocranmagik Reply
Becky says November 26, 2019 at 7:44 am its a constant battle over feeding and water changes……. Reply
Richard Baer says November 26, 2019 at 11:31 am Refugium and water changes for me, GFO seems like a lot as a maintenance item, I would only consider if there was a big problem water changes and reduced feedings couldn’t control. Reply
Michgander reefer says November 26, 2019 at 5:40 pm I have found a bio reactor mixed with a variety of macro algea to help keep mine to near 0 Reply
Chris S. Buswell says November 26, 2019 at 7:24 pm Some corals seem to desire just a touch of phosphate… Reply
Matt Blefeld says November 26, 2019 at 8:04 pm Automatic water changes of 5 gallons a day helps keep them down, and I stopped using reef roids which loaded my tank with phosphates Reply
whwhunt says November 27, 2019 at 10:54 am It is about making sure you don’t over feed. The break down of the excess can cause so many troubles. Reply
DANIEL callahan says November 27, 2019 at 12:03 pm Refugiums are huge!!! Mine was a true game changer for my 125gal mixed reef. I’ve got tons of pods growing in the mass of cheeto i purchased from Algaebarn. I also have my mangroves that i purchased from Taj at Aquashella 2019!! Results…. near undetectable levels of nitrate and phosphate in the water!!! Reply
Liz McDaneld says November 27, 2019 at 4:09 pm This has always been a struggle of mine with my young tank. Love reading these blogs they help so much. Reply
Dallas Tippie says November 27, 2019 at 5:50 pm I have been carbon dosing for about 6 months now — verdict is still out….. Reply
Richard Gorelick says November 28, 2019 at 4:28 pm My tank probably need more phosphate lol. Probably due to a lack of fish and a lot of chaeto in the huge. Reply
Echo says November 28, 2019 at 9:35 pm I used to have .2, but after getting a GFO reactor I’m pretty consistently at .03. Reply
cassi.klaasen says November 29, 2019 at 9:28 am A lot i didnt know ! thanks guys for posting these articles !! Reply
Wesley Spangler says November 29, 2019 at 8:35 pm I have 2 fish in my 150. For the most part the coral take it up. Reply
Arthur Farris says November 19, 2021 at 8:58 am I own a reef tank. How to reduce phosphate levels in corals and avoid harm to fish? Reply
Arthur Farris says November 27, 2021 at 7:39 pm I figured out how to lower phosphate in a reef tank by changing the water source and looking for something low in phosphate. In addition, I have an additional RODI system installed in my house; this can be a great way to remove phosphates in a reef tank. Reply
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