Help me understand Phosphates RX (lanthanum chloride)

[Miami Reef]

I just watched this video. Usually the forums tell me to get lanthanum chloride and dilute it into a gallon of RODI water, then dose in slowly into a 5-10 micro sock.

After watching this video, the guy says he uses the Phosphate RX and he doesn’t even use a filter sock, nor does he dilute it. He just adds a certain amount of drops next to his skimmer and that’s it.

I have soft corals, lps, clams, inverts, and fish, so safety is important to me. I currently have the seaklear pool phosphate remover, I made the mistake of over dosing it into my system. The tank was so cloudy I was scared to check on it the morning after because I was sure they would all be dead, but luckily I was granted another chance and nobody died. I am trying to be more careful and not acting hasty. I have not dosed any phosphate remover in the tank since that scare. My phosphate is 0.25 with API

What method do you recommend me do?

 

[tehmadreefer]

I've always dosed seaklear directly in, down in the overflow or in the fuge. Never in the actual dt however. Just have to watch how much you dose. I wouldn't even bother with that stuff in the video, it most like lanthanum marketed for fish tanks.

 

[Mjrenz]

I just watched this video. Usually the forums tell me to get lanthanum chloride and dilute it into a gallon of RODI water, then dose in slowly into a 5-10 micro sock.

After watching this video, the guy says he uses the Phosphate RX and he doesn’t even use a filter sock, nor does he dilute it. He just adds a certain amount of drops next to his skimmer and that’s it.

I have soft corals, lps, clams, inverts, and fish, so safety is important to me. I currently have the seaklear pool phosphate remover, I made the mistake of over dosing it into my system. The tank was so cloudy I was scared to check on it the morning after because I was sure they would all be dead, but luckily I was granted another chance and nobody died. I am trying to be more careful and not acting hasty. I have not dosed any phosphate remover in the tank since that scare. My phosphate is 0.25 with API

What method do you recommend me do?

I use phosphate rx but only at about 1/10 of the recommended dosage on the bottle over the course of 4 or 5 days. You don't want to completly strip your tank of phosphates and it's easy to do, especially if you have a smaller tank. Go slow and be patient so you don't shock your corals and it will work fine. Your skimmer will remove the phosphates that are bound by the lanthanum chloride. I would highly recommend you use a Hanna ulr phosphate checker instead of the api kit so you know what your levels actually are. Wait at least 24hrs after dosing to recheck your phosphates

 

[Miami Reef]

So, if I dose a small amount directly next to my skimmer, wait and test again, I won’t need a 5 micron sock? Or a drip doser? That sounds much more easier, but what about the fish gills? Won’t they get hurt?

Also, I already have seaklear, so I would rather not spend more for Phosphate RX.

 

[Mjrenz]

So, if I dose a small amount directly next to my skimmer, wait and test again, I won’t need a 5 micron sock? Or a drip doser? That sounds much more easier, but what about the fish gills? Won’t they get hurt?

Also, I already have seaklear, so I would rather not spend more for Phosphate RX.

I haven't used the seaklear at all so I would suggest researching the concentration compared to phosphate rx and verifying there is nothing else besides what phosphate rx contains in it. I accidentally overdosed the first time I used phosphate rx and had absolutely no adverse reactions from any fish, just a few corals that didn't like it. The skimmer is all you will need to remove it, it just takes a few hours for the water to clear but you can't rely on the accuracy of a test kit for at least the 24 hours

 

[ryeguyy84]

If you're going to use phosphate Rx I'd recommend getting a more accurate phosphate test. Like the Hanna ULR. I doubt you're phosphates are at .25ppm
https://clearchoiceaquatics.com/collections/hanna-instruments-1

With phosphate Rx you can calculate drops it reduce phosphates by a specific amount pretty accurately.

 

[tehmadreefer]

Good point on getting a better test for po4. Get the hanna ulr before using either one, you may not even need to lower po4.

 

[tehmadreefer]

The whole fish gills story is just that, a story. Just don't dump a huge amount in, your fish will be just fine.

 

[mtfish]

I use commercial seaklear. I also use a 5 micron sock. There has been anecdotal evidence that it could cause issue for some fish. I want to err on the safer side of the equation. In the end, it is your tank so use as you want, but why put something in the system that may cause problems when there is a way to keep it out?

 

[Miami Reef]

I already have a bottle of seaklear pool, but I’m going to go out and buy the Phosphate RX.

Is there no cheaper alternative to Hannah? They are so pricey.

 

[ryeguyy84]

Nyos, red sea, salifert. The Hanna is a little pricy up front but the reagents are cheap going forward. They're something like $9 for 25 tests

 

[tehmadreefer]

I use commercial seaklear. I also use a 5 micron sock. There has been anecdotal evidence that it could cause issue for some fish. I want to err on the safer side of the equation. In the end, it is your tank so use as you want, but why put something in the system that may cause problems when there is a way to keep it out?

There has been no evidence to suggest this, just a maybe, possibly story. Nothing else

If it were true all my fish along with my former and past pbt and blonde naso's would have long been dead.

 

[Sod Buster]

The phosphate rx is reduced with rodi water at the factory to be diluted for the formula on the directions. It makes a small cloud for a second, like dosing an alkalinity product, nothing like the pure lanthanum chloride does. You don't need the special 10 micron filter sock to use phosphate rx or a similar product called agent green. Like others said, a more accurate test method is recommended before using the product. Even on a hanna checker, the trace amounts it shows you have is plus or minus 3%. I drip my phosphate rx into the overflow box to get it down to the sump and blended, my display does not get cloudy.

 

[Miami Reef]

Ooh! I thought Hannah checker was 50 bucks for every 6 tests. Now it definitely makes sense. I’m going to buy them now. Thanks so much for your help and time!

 

[Sod Buster]

Be sure to get the ULR that reads in Parts Per Billion for the most accurate. Pick up the right reagents for the unit also. I gets a little confusing finding them looking at just the paper packets. Lots of tricks on how to get every last spec of powder out of the foil pack also. Very important.

 

[User1]

The whole fish gills story is just that, a story. Just don't dump a huge amount in, your fish will be just fine.

This isn't exactly true. As @mtfish stated there are multiple reports of fish being affected by dosing lanthanum chloride. Mostly with tangs based on the threads I've read here and on other sites. While true, it is mostly safe, there are precautions that should be taken when using it be it certain fish to tanks made with low iron / starfire glass. You really should use this in a sump with clean and high quality filter sock to contain the substance or byproduct when using it.

I saw a good video of someone explaining how they have their dosing setup using a IV bag and filter socks. Great detail and why it was done this way. In any case go slow and be careful. Best of luck.

 

[Gregg @ ADP]

How do your corals look @ 0.25? How is nuisance algae growth in your tank? Any refugium?

 

[Miami Reef]

Corals look good. No deaths since setting up this year, but growth is rather limited to be honest.

Algae wise is not so much. Just on the back glass and I feel like it’s increasing, but it isn’t on the rocks.

I don’t have a refugium, just a sump with skimmer, filter socks, uv, and dosing pumps.

 

[Sod Buster]

So everyone is on the same page. Phosphate Rx and Agent Green are diluted before they bottle the stuff at the factory/lab. The seaklear product is over 100 times the strength. Phosphate Rx and Agent Green have instructions based on gallons of water and drops to lower P04 in a controlled environment. No filter sock needed & your tangs will be fine.

 

[MrArcana]

I spent the extra money on a hannah for alk because of how important that parameter is and I hate reading colors. But for po4, which isn't that important and I just want to be above 0 and below 0.1 a hannahs to expensive. Maybe if you got more than 25 tests per reagent it wouldn't be to bad.

I'm looking at the red sea pro no3/po4 combo. It 60 bucks but you get 100 of both tests and reagent refills are for 100 tests as well.

Anyway as for dosing phosphate rx. If your corals are happy and the tanks doing well I wouldn't worry about po4 much. If its really high just take it slow.