Trisodium phosphate question

[activecactus]

I've read somewhere that trisodium phosphate or monosodium phosphate could be used to increase my phosphate levels.

I've tried overfeeding and that did increase my phosphates but along with that came an algae outbreak. I'm currently trying to remedy this algae outbreak and then try raising my phosphates in a more controlled fashion by using an additive.

My question is if this stuff would work and if it would be safe for my tank.

Here is the msds

Also, would this raise my PH and DKH as well?

 

[greengeco82]

You probably want to get the food grade. That cleaner may have impurities. Here is one.
https://www.amazon.com/TriSodium-Ph...&keywords=trisodium+phosphate+food+grade&th=1
I started using NeoPhos by brightwell, but I think its more cost effective to just buy Trisodium Phosphate and dilute in water.

 

[Jwheld]

+1^

Food grade is 99.9% pure so you know exactly what's going in the tank. I just ordered some yesterday as I plan to start controlling mine >0ppb phosphorus.

 

[activecactus]

I suppose I should be concerned with impurities, but I do keep up on my water changes and I'm already adding; ice melt for cal and mag, stump remover for nitrates pickling lime for kalkwasser, yeast infection medicine for algae control, etc.

At 7x cheaper than food grade stuff, it should be a no brainer( not that I'm complains about the price).

 

[Jwheld]

I'd be curious to hear the results if you do go that direction!

 

[tmz]

An mds doesn't really tell you what's in it. Personally I wouldn't use it;no practical way to know what impurities are in it and some impurities can be deadly in miniscule amounts. If I wanted to add phosphate I'd stick to food grade or a freshwater aquarium product like Seachem's flourish phosphate .For nitrates ,there are inexpensive relatively pure sodium nitrate products available too. Nutrient balancing additions for nitrogen and phosphorous are typically very small ; making price less of an issue.

 

[activecactus]

I will just use the bottled stuff from the LFS, as I have too much invested in livestock to risk it.

It is funny how some random products for other purposes work for our hobby.

Still curious (impurities aside) if it would be suitable.
Don't know if anhydrous vs dodecahydrate means anything or what impact would sodium sesquicarbonate have on our tanks.

 

[tmz]

Basically: anhydrous means no water;dodecahhydrate means the compound contains water.

Sesquicarbonate would add sodium, bicarbonate and carbonate , likely would increase alkainity and might cause precipitation .

 

[activecactus]

Thank you!

 

[tmz]

You are welcome