Disodium vs Trisodium Phosphate in a reef tank

[Reefahholic]

Anybody know the difference or have experience with both? Is there a better or safer option for raising PO4 between the two?

 

[Big G]

Bump

 

[Reefahholic]

;Bookworm Anybody..

Bump

 

[BigRedReefer MT]

I'm certainly not a chemist so I'm not sure about the difference between the two and the real effects that the break down of these two salts means for your reef. I use trisodium as a heavy degreaser and it always leaves my skin feeling dry, itchy, and irritated. I'm not sure I would trust it in my reef if I was trying to raise PO4. Just my two cents.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Both are perfectly fine if adequately pure.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm certainly not a chemist so I'm not sure about the difference between the two and the real effects that the break down of these two salts means for your reef. I use trisodium as a heavy degreaser and it always leaves my skin feeling dry, itchy, and irritated. I'm not sure I would trust it in my reef if I was trying to raise PO4. Just my two cents.

That's likely from the higher pH of trisodium phosphate, which is around 11.5-12.5, depending on how you make it up. That doesn't imply it is less desirable in a reef tank since you hardly add any.