Oh wow! I think I am going to use PHOS - E just to have a bit more controllability and not drop to fast. @DaddyFish recommended this over Phos-RX, although not sure why.
If your nitrates are almost 0, dose nitrates to keep them above 1. Then you can dose phosphateRX and drop the phosphates. It says the maximum you can drop them in a day on the bottle and that is a safe dose. I've done it, but I know people that have dropped it 3x as much. My theory is that you can drop them fast, but you get problems when you drop them to 0.
I looked into using Phosphate Rx but I was leery of the manufacturer's "easily filtered out" claim regarding the precipitates that will form. I don't have a filter sock or filtration system that would capture the precipitates and wasn't sure how to go about rigging something up. Maybe the precipitates aren't that big of a deal anyway. I wasn't able to find a solid answer on that question except for it being bad for Tangs.
I would love to hear how it works for you though on your 13 gallon, and would appreciate your feedback. I will probably have to do one more round of phos control to finish balancing my rock.
I had no idea they were the same chemical. Is there another safe way without chemicals to reduce phosphate and not nitrate?
I am more so worried about the health of my fish from the lanthium chloride seeing the tank has no filtration/skimmer
Some phosphates data from my 32 gallon tank. May give you some idea what to expect from the two PO4 removal products I've tried. You could always add them and remove them in a shorter time period if you are worried about quick drops.
thank you! what size tank was that?
Going to buy some phosguard right now! Will any filter sock work with it, or does it need a specific micron? Thanks for the help!
This is the one I used. It comes in its own little bag you can just place in your media basket or other high flow area. No filter sock needed. I think Petco carries a smaller size as well for treating 30 gallons. Just keep in mind that the bags will only absorb a limited amount of PO4 and then they are dead. Depending on how much total PO4 you need to remove, it could take more than 1 over a period of time.
I just going to go as slow as possible over the next 1-2 months. I got a larger container of PhosGuard. I have some filter socks laying around and if needed ill get smaller micron.
Hi, I am having the same issue and was looking at Phos-e can you provide some details on how it went for you?
This is not true when you have high phosphate levels. It will be bound to the rocks and other aragonite source and go right back to a similar level within 24 hours. Phosphate requires being processed through biologic methods or absorbed lanthanum, iron or aluminum sources.
