Assistance high CA and phosphate levels

[mray2660]

New to saltwater . We have high phosphate (1 ppm) and calcium levels (520 ppm). Have been using API testing kit for measurements. Have used kent phosphate sponge but can not seem to get the phosphates to drop. Initially phosphates were higher >5ppm prior to adding phosphate sponge over the past few weeks has been hovering at this level. Other water parameters KH 8, salinity 1.023, nitrate 0, pH 8.2, temp 79, 55 gallon TRUVU tank ,T5HO lights which had recently added from using the TRU VU standard lighting system. Have been doing bi weekly water changes. Replacement water made from Instant Ocean does showi presents of phosphates but does test high calcium. Using weekly dosing of Kent Iodide, Reef Plus, Kent Stontium and Molybdenum and Liquid Calcium Have mostly live rock and very few corals GSP that is doing fairly well but is not opening as much as when we first got it which I beleive indicates that we have water quality issue. Suggestions?

 

[JAR]

Are you using Reverse osmosis water?
How much are you feeding?
Overfeeding can cause high phosphates.
Any nitrates?

 

[euod]

New to saltwater eh? I would just back off on all that dosing for now and take it slowly. Make weekly water changes as usual, a little difficult now if water rationing goes into effect, and monitor that. As for phosphate, I would try ELOS kit and see if you get the same readout once you are stablized. If you are still having high phosphate then you can try a little phishy reactor. All of this would take some time of course, could be months. Welcome to the hobby.

 

[Dyngoe]

Euod is coprrect.

I wouldn't worry about the 520 measurement. Just stop dosing the liquid calcium and test again in a few days. It doesn't sound like you have any corals that seriously absorb Ca so you may be over doing it.

If your GSP isn't opening, try moving it around. Some people find it grows really well while others don't have as much luck. I am one of those "others". I can grow SPS, LPS, zoos and some shrooms, but my GSP has barely grown in two months.

Phospates are not good, but your levels sound fine. If you are worried, try a bigger refugium with more light. Most macro algae will absorb phosphates.

Basic message is don't stress. It doesn't sound like you have anything seriously wrong with your tank. One of the biggest problem new people make is too many changes too quickly. Trust me, I was there just like you. Just to give you an idea, I now have a bunch of nice SPS in my tank and I haven't tested the water or done a water change in at least six weeks.