Dead Live Rock for Low PO4?

[GarrettT]

I've read to never use dead live rock, as much of the rock will release po4 into the water. This supposedly doesn't happen all at once, but continuously, as much of the dead stuff is deep inside the rock. In my case, this sounds extremely beneficial. I'm constantly having to dose po4 and it seems like no matter what I do, somehow my system always finds its way to 0ppm.

I have a lot of live rock in my system, so would it make sense to take out 10lbs of it, let it dry, then put it in my sump without light? My thinking is that it might buy me some time in-between dosing, so that my po4 doesn't fully bottom out.

 

[Gatorpa]

I've read to never use dead live rock, as much of the rock will release po4 into the water. This supposedly doesn't happen all at once, but continuously, as much of the dead stuff is deep inside the rock. In my case, this sounds extremely beneficial. I'm constantly having to dose po4 and it seems like no matter what I do, somehow my system always finds its way to 0ppm.

I have a lot of live rock in my system, so would it make sense to take out 10lbs of it, let it dry, then put it in my sump without light? My thinking is that it might buy me some time in-between dosing, so that my po4 doesn't fully bottom out.

Seems like there would be a more controlled way to add PO4 rather than killing mature live rock….

 

[GarrettT]

Seems like there would be a more controlled way to add PO4 rather than killing mature live rock….

Like? My po4 fluctuates heavily, but generally around .15ppm per day. Dosing such irregularities can be cumbersome. I do it and will continue too until equilibrium is reached, but having a continuous output of po4 would help out a lot. I already feed heavy with plenty of excess floating around 4 times a day without a skimmer or filter sock.

 

[Gatorpa]

Like? My po4 fluctuates heavily, but generally around .15ppm per day. Dosing such irregularities can be cumbersome. I do it and will continue too until equilibrium is reached, but having a continuous output of po4 would help out a lot. I already feed heavy with plenty of excess floating around 4 times a day without a skimmer or filter sock.

It would be a huge guess how much PO4 may or may not leech out of newly dead rock.

Years ago when people in Florida were first trying to aqua culture rock guys were getting stuff from old morrow pits and using it (super cheap). It was filled with PO4. This was back when PO4 and NO3 was terrible in a reef tank.

You would be better trying to find something like that maybe.

 

[GarrettT]

Thanks. Just looking for something with a low output thats continuous.

 

[Gatorpa]

Thanks. Just looking for something with a low output thats continuous.

Im sure there are some here that would have a better idea.
I’m just about to consider dosing NO3 but haven’t pulled the trigger yet…

 

[GarrettT]

I may just dilute some sodium phosphate and drip that into the tank. This may be the more logical approach. I dose no3 regularly with good results.

 

[Gatorpa]

I may just dilute some sodium phosphate and drip that into the tank. This may be the more logical approach. I dose no3 regularly with good results.

That will give you consistent input.
If you check regularly you can adjust

What do you use for NO3?

 

[GarrettT]

That will give you consistent input.
If you check regularly you can adjust

What do you use for NO3?

James' Planted Tank - Dosing Calculator

I’ve been dosing it every 3 days for about a year now.