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11/17/2017, 09:57 PM | #1 |
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When to test for P04?
I have been testing P04 in the morning before lights on, and at the end of the day before feeding to get a better understanding of consumption rates.
P04 ranges from 0.211ppm in the am (before lights on) to 0.055 in the pm (right before feeding and lights out). When should I be aiming for the >0.03ppm number? If P04 drops to undetectable, bad things happen. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
11/17/2017, 11:07 PM | #2 |
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I would average it out. Also keep in mind >0.03ppm is a pretty subjective number number. Ideal PO4 levels depends on the lighting and alkalinity levels.
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11/17/2017, 11:27 PM | #3 |
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That range is very broad. I'm surprised it's that wide. What are you using for testing?
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Jonathan Bertoni |
11/17/2017, 11:30 PM | #4 |
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Invert lagoon
I run high nutrient systems that support filter feeders and sponges.
I never check for phosphate. Cynobacteria is my bioindicator for phosphate.
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Laissez les bons temps rouler, Patrick Castille Current Tank Info: 10,000G. Greenhouse Macro Growout |
11/18/2017, 07:48 AM | #5 | |||
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11/18/2017, 08:14 AM | #6 |
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Thanks for the feedback. Got me looking differently at my notes and I think I figured it out.
On the whole the P04 levels have been slowly rising but fairly stable regardless of time of day. There were a few readings that seriously bucked the trend which threw me off. They can however attribute these to various events. My lowest reading of 0.006ppm came after doing a 20% water change. The highest reading of 0.211ppm came the morning after introducing a new food (P04 dropped to 0.055ppm that evening but I'd guess my rocks/algae/corals soaked up the excess!). If I exclude the anomalies, average readings come in at 0.0353ppm in the morning and 0.452 in the evening, which seems to make little more sense. |
11/18/2017, 07:22 PM | #7 |
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Since you're trying to keep the phosphate level above 0.03 ppm, I think testing at the daily low point would be the best approach.
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Jonathan Bertoni |
11/18/2017, 08:11 PM | #8 | |
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