High PO4 it's really viable?

reeffing · Mar 8, 2019

Hi all,

I would like to know if someone have high Po4 (like 1.4 to 1.8) with some SPS.

I try to explain what I mean,
Just a litte time ago I see a Richard ross video's about the higher PO4 in the slatwater tank.

do someone use this type of method?

thaks a lof for the answers guys!

nautical_nathaniel · Mar 8, 2019

I doubt it would be deadly to the corals but it does prohibit growth through some complex chemistry-based reasons. You would also probably not get good coloration from your SPS and would always be at risk for algae issues.

jda · Mar 8, 2019

It is possible, but you will be limited by what you can keep. This will be death for lots of acropora, but some will do fine and grow for you. Ross tank is no different... he has only the corals that will live in such conditions, not a full spread of acros that will grow in any tank. BTW - Ross is down to like .5 P now.

Gregg @ ADP · Mar 8, 2019

As easy as it is to keep PO4- <0.1, I’m not sure why anybody would want to have it above that...or much above it, anyway....(ie I wouldn’t have to be talked off a ledge for having 0.3 PO4).

PO4- will bind with Ca+ at higher levels, although I’m not sure that it’s really been determined what the level is. In the human body, PO4- in the bloodstream becomes a problem at ~45-50ppm. But in a much simpler organism such as an acropora, I could see PO4- ‘outcompeting’ the coral for available Ca+ even at fairly low level, and slowing/stunting the growth.