Dosing Phosphate in a frag tank

[thabizness]

My bare bottom fish-less frag tank/coral QT has 0 nitrates and 0 phosphates. I am a believer in having some nitrates and phosphates for coral growth. I am now dosing nitrate but I am not sure how to raise phosphates to detectable levels on either a hanna or red sea test.

How would I get phosphates detectable in the water? Since there is no fish I don't really feed the tank much.

 

[PatW]

You could just ghost feed with some inexpensive fish food. It should add nitrates and phosphates.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There are quite a few suitable products, including Brightwell Neophos, a Seachem freshwater buffer, and simple sodium phosphate. There are several threads on these, but I am on a phone and cannot search them right now.

 

[buckeye82]

There are quite a few suitable products, including Brightwell Neophos, a Seachem freshwater buffer, and simple sodium phosphate. There are several threads on these, but I am on a phone and cannot search them right now.

Something like this Randy? Better options?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sorry, I can't see what it is on my phone.

 

[buckeye82]

Sorry, I can't see what it is on my phone.

Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic, Anhydrous, Reagent Grade, 500 g

Formula: Na2HPO4
Formula Wt.: 141.96
CAS: 10140-65-5
Health Risk: 1
Flammability: 0
Reactivity: 0
Formula: Na3HPO4 •12H2O
Formula Wt.: 268.07
CAS: 7782-85-6
Health Risk: Moderate
Flammability: None
Reactivity: None

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, that looks perfect.

 

[bubbaque]

What are you using to dose nitrates? I was looking into it.

 

[thabizness]

I use stump remover.

 

[rgaleana2009]

Hello Randy,

Wondering if someone can let m eknow the dosis i have to use to raise phosphates at .03 ppm in my reef tank. 265 lts and i would use Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic, Anhydrous

Thanks for all your help