Proper phosphate levels?

[Breakthecycle2]

What should they "normally" be. I would assume zero is best, mine is reading around .50.

 

[Convict2161]

What should they "normally" be. I would assume zero is best, mine is reading around .50.

Well your right. Ideally 0 is what you want. .50, I'd do a water change. are you using RO/DI or distilled? Or are you using tap?

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Im using Spring water.

 

[Sniperhank]

Actual spring water or gallon jugs of "spring water"? I have natural spring water and I abandoned even putting it through my 5 stage ro/di unit because of what all was in it.
I switched to walmart and giant eagle brands of distilled water. The distilled has almost no tds, where the spring was much higher. It tastes better because it has stuff in it, but you don't want that stuff in your aquarium. Pretty generalized, but good enough.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Like the jugs you by.

 

[Sniperhank]

Switch to distilled water. I use distilled and feed twice a week. Phosphates are currently at .03. The water helps.