180Brandy Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 ... --- ... ... --- ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Bob Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I have heard it stated many times that one of the leading causes of algae outbreaks in reef aquariums is high levels of phosphates. The phosphates are imported into our systems though numerous routes. One issue that we all have is that the test kits that are typically available to us only measure the inorganic phosphate. The organo-phosphates which make up the vast majority of the phosphates in our tanks are not detected. In looking into this I ran across this article about measuring total phosphate concentrations. http://www.indiana.edu/~bradwood/eagles/phosphate.htm They basically take their water sample add a little sulphuric acid and then boil. This converts the organo-phosphates to inorganic phosphates. One question that I have for the Chemisty around is whether there are other ways to oxidize the organo phosphates? Could one bubble ozone through the sample or expose it to UV? It would be nice to have a technique to monitor total phosphates in our tanks. Bob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Maybe ask RHF on the Chemistry forum on RC? He'd know for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Bob Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Andy: Great idea. I posted it over there too. I also know we have at least one chemist that hangs around here. Dennis, Oh Denis where are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Brandy Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 Hey Dennis are you out there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 here. I don't know enough about the specific chemistry to answer in this thread. I may be a chemistry teacher, but I am a generalist, not a specialist. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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