best way to add phosphate?

[CTaylor]

Hi,
I need something simple to dose but of course effective. Should I use TSP or NEOPHOS by brightwell. I'd jump on the brightwell b/c I'm assuming the instructions are for dummies lol, but I read a review that it's very low dosed, and it can take the entire bottle to raise PO4 from 0 ppb (like mine is at ) to acceptable. The reviewer may have measured wrong, I do not know.

What exactly is best for me to use? what brand, link to buy, etc?

TY

 

[bertoni]

There is food-grade TSP available on Amazon. Any of them should be fine. This one looks okay:

https://www.amazon.com/TriSodium-Ph...ood+grade+tsp&qid=1564184797&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Are you in the USA?

 

[CTaylor]

There is food-grade TSP available on Amazon. Any of them should be fine. This one looks okay:

https://www.amazon.com/TriSodium-Ph...ood+grade+tsp&qid=1564184797&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Are you in the USA?

TY
Yes i'm in Florida

 

[CTaylor]

I did end up ordering the brightwell only because I just wanted something super easy. I read the description on their web site and just 1 mL will bring my levels to 0.05 ppm. Though I don't know how fast this will be used up by my system. Since I feed a fair amount daily and still with 0. I hope Im' not just pouring it down a hole.

We'll see...

 

[bertoni]

Please let us know how it works for you.

 

[Uncle99]

You seem to be chasing phosphate.
Phosphate measurement is difficult to make precise as its amount is just so tiny.

Trace amounts are required or your corals will die

Actual zero in Phosphate is not possible, their will always be trace especially as your a good feeder

I have been running .15 for a year now, all SPS fine, growth very good, so much for the 0.02-0.05 level

 

[CTaylor]

I decided for now to not dose phosphate. I've had "0" to 7 bbP for a while. The main reason I was going to try to increase it was to help lower NO3. But now I'm finding that may not be needed (higher po4 for lower no3). And my tank SPS etc have been fine, growing fast, and colorful, until I found my NO3 were out of whack. And the NO3 had been 3-5 ppm in the past (with "0" phosphate). So I'm just trying now to see what biodigest will do to get my NO3 down (before I lose more SPS -- as one has RTN'd.. but that was triggered same day as nem was eaten by a strong power head -- so I have a few things being dealt with at the moment).
Im' also reading that I may have a phosphate sink, from reviewers of those dosing PO4. They dose it, and their levels go right back to '0'. So I also don't want to dose it just to have it bind to the rock work.

I'll post if I was able to get my NO3 down, though

 

[nematode]

My experience is that nitrates without phosphates is STN city.

 

[nematode]

I’d raise phosphates rather trying to decrease nitrates especially if your nitrates are already below 5 ppm

 

[CTaylor]

My experience is that nitrates without phosphates is STN city.

right, it's out of balance then. Though I think (from my limited experience) that you can have low po4 and detectable to 5 ppm NO3 if alk stays 7-7.7 dkh. I found when I have that situation I'm good. If my alk goes over 8 I started getting into danger zone. Also the corals are more light sensitive for me with the low nutrient situation.

My nitrates are not below 5.. they are over 20. And I likely have a phosphate sink. Raising them will just feed into the sink IMO

 

[Daddi0]

There was a great article on phosphates by Randy Holmes Farley https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/3/chemistry

 

[CTaylor]

There was a great article on phosphates by Randy Holmes Farley https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/3/chemistry

nice article.. but I didnt see where it talks about needing or not needing a minimum amount of PO4 and how it relates to amount of NO3 in an aquarium... It talked about back ground of PO4, and what are sources of it.. and basically don't worry too much about using foods with phosphate and activated carbon with it as well (overall).

 

[Daddi0]

My take away from the article is that all quality foods have phosphates. And if you are feeding, you are adding phosphates. When my nitrates were a bit high, I started to feed a larger food (mysis) so that less raw food particles would be deposited into my system and I increased my circulation. I think as long as you have fish that you are feeding, you have phosphates. Are you sure your testing is accurate? I would not stress too much over a single coral death ( especially after an anemone grinding)
Cheers! Mark