Phosphates

[muecyl]

Okay, this may seem like a silly question but in the rise of my phosphates and looking to buy a phosphate reactor, it got me thinking.

I get nature's way of calcium control and the protein skimmer effect but...

How dose nature deal with phosphates? I have yet to see any phosphate reactors when Im out kayaking on the ocean.

maybe a stupid question

[aquaboy]

Macro algaes! Chaeto, caleurpa, etc......

[muecyl]

Yeah, I was thinking that, (the point to refugiums), But when Im on the ocean in Maine, there is very little of that sorta stuff, just golden brown kelp... but maybe thats enough to keep the P04 in check

[Tangster]

The vast supply of carbonates helps to bind the PO4 up along with surface to air area . Never confuse a little glass box of saltwater with a ocean. Not to mention as Aqua Boy mentioned all the mangrove swamps and mud marshes that are around the world. And some is used by some animals I'm sure Like the Methane's from the thermal vents .. But I'd not try to bubble pure methanes into my tank.. More cooler fresh sea water laden with oxygen passes over a reef per night then all us here combined would ever use or change out in several of lifetimes ..

But look at the Chesapeake Bay PO4's and NO3's about killed it over the last 30 yrs alga's where chocking out all life forms. Hence the Bay act of the 80's The Chesapeak bay is just a huge aquairum (: Its comming back but it took billions upon billions and many law's and stiff penalities to prevent over building and ground run off and water shed area. And that water in Maine has been around the world in the last several thousand yrs.. here today gone tonight

[wildreef]

well a reactor worked for me to say the least on my tank ( phosban reactor 150 ) with phosban media in it

I can littleraly take the phosphate test and nothing shows , and i accidently one night left the test vial on the table filled with the test the night before after sevral hours of sitting like that ' it barely had a reading at all , but i also run a refugium with a sand bed only and about 30 quarter halve dollar size clams, that helps with getting rid of nitrate as well