Phosphate Lesson Learned

[gowyn]

Learned something recently.

My setup is pretty well self sustaining. Auto water change fed directly from mixing station.

Anyway, for the past couple of weeks have been busy finishing basement and noticed things weren’t looking quite right in the tank. Tested water and everything was good except Phosphates up a little. Ran some GFO, came down again.

Things still not quite right and did some investigating. Nitrates 0, but phosphates .35. Decided to independent test and similar results.

Odd. Tested water in mixing container, always have 50 gal on hand well it’s also reading .35.

Tested RODI water and zero so source not city water. Replac d all RODI filters anyway.

Filled a bucket with RODI and mixed some salt, tested 0 so salt not the source.

So narrowed it down to mixing container which has been running for 4 months now, little bit of sediment on bottom.

So looks like it’s the source, took it outside, very mild bleach soak and clean, fresh water flush, will let it dry out and in the future just mix up about 20 gallons per week. I AWC about 2.5 gallons a day.

Anyway, lesson learned, if you have Phosphates creeping up check your salt mixing container.





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[Winks]

I believe that even if you mix only enough to do a water change and don't even let it sit, you mixing container needs to get cleaned. I clean mine after each use.

 

[Maverickh12]

Learned something recently.

My setup is pretty well self sustaining. Auto water change fed directly from mixing station.

Anyway, for the past couple of weeks have been busy finishing basement and noticed things weren’t looking quite right in the tank. Tested water and everything was good except Phosphates up a little. Ran some GFO, came down again.

Things still not quite right and did some investigating. Nitrates 0, but phosphates .35. Decided to independent test and similar results.

Odd. Tested water in mixing container, always have 50 gal on hand well it’s also reading .35.

Tested RODI water and zero so source not city water. Replac d all RODI filters anyway.

Filled a bucket with RODI and mixed some salt, tested 0 so salt not the source.

So narrowed it down to mixing container which has been running for 4 months now, little bit of sediment on bottom.

So looks like it’s the source, took it outside, very mild bleach soak and clean, fresh water flush, will let it dry out and in the future just mix up about 20 gallons per week. I AWC about 2.5 gallons a day.

Anyway, lesson learned, if you have Phosphates creeping up check your salt mixing container.





Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I would caution on the use of bleach as it will adhere to your tank and will never come out which in the future will cause serious problems. For future reference us a bottle of hydrogen peroxide as its WAY safer and will have the cleaning power.

To pass you must bring us........ A SHRUBBERY

 

[Zombiex]

I had a similar issue but with nitrates. Sownt months chasing issues to learn it was poor house keeping with holding container.

 

[AdInfinitum]

I would caution on the use of bleach as it will adhere to your tank and will never come out which in the future will cause serious problems. For future reference us a bottle of hydrogen peroxide as its WAY safer and will have the cleaning power.

To pass you must bring us........ A SHRUBBERY

Regular chlorine bleach, Sodium Hypochlorite, is simply Sodium, Oxygen and Chlorine. In aqueous solution it decomposes readily and rapidly....the free chlorine does the cleaning/disinfecting etc. and is gone. A good rinsing and drying and it is gone without a trace.

The warning is to avoid "bleaching agents" with other additives to make them "safer" for clothing or more pleasant smelling etc.

 

[Maverickh12]

Regular chlorine bleach, Sodium Hypochlorite, is simply Sodium, Oxygen and Chlorine. In aqueous solution it decomposes readily and rapidly....the free chlorine does the cleaning/disinfecting etc. and is gone. A good rinsing and drying and it is gone without a trace.

The warning is to avoid "bleaching agents" with other additives to make them "safer" for clothing or more pleasant smelling etc.

"Throws hands in air" Ok your right I only work in Pure Water what do I know.

To pass you must bring us........ A SHRUBBERY