I have rock that has quite a bit of bound phosphate. I have three options. I could replace the rock with cured live rock out of my friends tank that is very clean and keep my system as is otherwise, but I am very scared of a cycle since I have some gorgeous wrasses which are hard to replace. The next option would be to take the tank down and redo it with new rock/sand and have someone watch my fish for me. I don't like this option because I think it would be far more stressful on the inhabitants. The third option is to run a high capacity phosphate remover (thinking PO4X). Which of these options is the best? Is there another option? Thank you in advance.
Phosphate laden rock
- Thread starter Dizzle63
- Start date
Some people are successful with GFO or even a lanthanum chloride product in such situations. Carbon dosing is another approach to consider. I'm not sure what the best approach might be, but I personally would leave the live rock in the tank and start with some GFO. The GFO can be regenerated to save some money, although that requires working with toxic chemicals.
i would definitely start the GFO. then perhaps taking out a rock at a time and curing them externally, i.e. acid wash etc then placing them back one at a time. this way, you're treating, but also removing a source and eventually replacing with a clean rock.
or alternatively, you could replace one rock at a time with your friend's so as to not stress the entire system.
or alternatively, you could replace one rock at a time with your friend's so as to not stress the entire system.
OregonReefer
New member
There's another option you could try (try: meaning test with a few pieces of your rock)
Take out 10%-15% of your rock (of course removing anything you want to live and scrubbing of any excess algae) and do an LC treatment along with keeping it in the dark for a week to kill of any surface algae you missed.
If it works it will cost a whole lot less than the (what seems like never ending) GFO thing
If you treat and rinse with saltwater (maybe the SW from your water change) the beneficial bacteria should survive. If it doesn't at least it's not a huge impact on your tank.
If successful you could do 20ish% at a time
Take out 10%-15% of your rock (of course removing anything you want to live and scrubbing of any excess algae) and do an LC treatment along with keeping it in the dark for a week to kill of any surface algae you missed.
If it works it will cost a whole lot less than the (what seems like never ending) GFO thing
If you treat and rinse with saltwater (maybe the SW from your water change) the beneficial bacteria should survive. If it doesn't at least it's not a huge impact on your tank.
If successful you could do 20ish% at a time
clownfish14
New member
I agree with longatto that seems like your best option.
