Help, accidental overdose!

[Dr Jen]

I was home for lunch and decided to dose my 20 gal reef tank with some liquid filter feeding coral food, however I accidently poured britewells phosphate E into the tank instead of the food. dang black bottles all look the same. Not even sure how much, but definitely too much. the phosphates were already only 0.03 or less in there.
I had to go back to work and did not have time to do a water change. How bad is this? Should I have my friend, who knows nothing about tanks, try to do a water change for me or do you think it will be ok until I get home in 4 hours?
Thanks so much for any info

 

[cancun]

I was home for lunch and decided to dose my 20 gal reef tank with some liquid filter feeding coral food, however I accidently poured britewells phosphate E into the tank instead of the food. dang black bottles all look the same. Not even sure how much, but definitely too much. the phosphates were already only 0.03 or less in there.
I had to go back to work and did not have time to do a water change. How bad is this? Should I have my friend, who knows nothing about tanks, try to do a water change for me or do you think it will be ok until I get home in 4 hours?
Thanks so much for any info

Hi! IMO it is ok for you to wait until you get home from work. That way you can do the wc yourself instead of potentially causing more issues by having a friend who doesn't know anything about reef tanks do one! I know what you mean about bottles ...one time I meant to dump 2 capfuls of vitachem in my tank, but instead dumped 2 capfuls of fish eggs! LOL! My fish loved it though! Four hours isn't a long time, so I think you will be fine waiting! Good luck! [emoji16]

 

[cancun]

Oh I saw your pic.... nothing to do with tanks...but here is my baby....the tank is second....lol ...

 

[Dr Jen]

Oh I saw your pic.... nothing to do with tanks...but here is my baby....the tank is second....lol ...

Cutie pie

 

[Dom]

Ok... let me start by saying I've never used this product.

Based on the information provided on the website, I don't believe you have anything to worry about. I would do a water change the first chance you get. Having someone without experience do the water change could potentially create more problems.

 

[Dr Jen]

Ok... let me start by saying I've never used this product.

Based on the information provided on the website, I don't believe you have anything to worry about. I would do a water change the first chance you get. Having someone without experience do the water change could potentially create more problems.

Thank you, I tried to briefly look it up as well in between appoinments, but couldn't find much info about overdoses. I figured that someone else out there has done a dumb thing like this before and might have some insite about the outcome. [emoji2]

 

[Dom]

Thank you, I tried to briefly look it up as well in between appoinments, but couldn't find much info about overdoses. I figured that someone else out there has done a dumb thing like this before and might have some insite about the outcome. [emoji2]

I wouldn't worry about it.

I would be interested in knowing your last round of water test results before you dosed the Phosphate E, and after you dosed to see how it impacted other results.

 

[Rick.45cal]

Hopefully it didn’t strip too much phosphate from the water!

 

[Dr Jen]

I wouldn't worry about it.

I would be interested in knowing your last round of water test results before you dosed the Phosphate E, and after you dosed to see how it impacted other results.

Actually, I just tested the water 2 days ago and the nitates were 1-2 and phosphates were 0-0.03. I keep the alk at 10-11 and calcium at 450 with red sea products. Everything was looking great and of course I have to go a muck it up. I just hope the product doesnt affect the pH. I dont normally use this product, but bought some for my 100 gal that I had been having trouble getting the nitrates below 0.3 on even with no3po4 dosing. Uugh!

 

[Dom]

I'd be happy with those numbers. I'm curious to know how they are impacted with the OD.

I don't see anything in the information on the website that suggests it would negatively impact pH. What makes you think your pH may be effected?

 

[Dr Jen]

I'd be happy with those numbers. I'm curious to know how they are impacted with the OD.

I don't see anything in the information on the website that suggests it would negatively impact pH. What makes you think your pH may be effected?

Well I got stuck at work doing an emergency c-section and just got home. 8 hours since I overdosed with the phosphate E and all the corals and fish look no worse for wear. [emoji2] [emoji7]

 

[Dr Jen]

I'd be happy with those numbers. I'm curious to know how they are impacted with the OD.

I don't see anything in the information on the website that suggests it would negatively impact pH. What makes you think your pH may be effected?

Po4 0
pH 8.2
Alk 10.4

Guess I got lucky

 

[Dom]

Guess I got lucky

Maybe... but it never really felt like a big deal to begin with. Keep us posted.

 

[tehmadreefer]

If your po4 is actually 0 and you did strip out all your po4 you will not see any issues for a few days to about a week.

 

[Hemmdog]

If your po4 is actually 0 and you did strip out all your po4 you will not see any issues for a few days to about a week.

+1 feed some reef roids just to get some phosphate back in there.