Natural Phosphate solution

[JDP]

Lately there has been more talk about increasing nutrients (Nitrate, Phosphate) with dosing. Understanding there are many ways to dial a system, I was thinking of a natural DIY additive for Phosphate.

Bone meal (hydroxyapatite Ca5(PO4)3(OH)) very insoluble, mixed with vinegar CH3COOH and water H2O, down the line will give us Calcium Dihydrogen Phosphate Ca(H2PO4)2 much more soluble. My question is, when this solution is added to an alkaline environment will it just snow out and go right back to bone meal?

Any thought?

 

[Rybren]

I don't think that phosphate dosing would be required in most tanks. There is so much of it in the food that goes into the tank, I can't imagine having to add even more.

 

[saltyphish]

I can. My tank runs with 5 ppm nitrate but 0 phosphate (hanna meter). It happens. I have read posts from people with a lot higher nitrate amount but 0 phosphate. In situations like carbon dosing you need both present I believe to bring nitrates down.

I don't think that phosphate dosing would be required in most tanks. There is so much of it in the food that goes into the tank, I can't imagine having to add even more.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If you get it to dissolve in vinegar, it should stay dissolved if you mix it into tank water slowly.

 

[glb]

I can. My tank runs with 5 ppm nitrate but 0 phosphate (hanna meter). It happens. I have read posts from people with a lot higher nitrate amount but 0 phosphate. In situations like carbon dosing you need both present I believe to bring nitrates down.

True, but I know I have some phosphates in my tank even when the Hanna reads zero because there's a little gha growing.

 

[saltyphish]

Oh, I know those meters can read zero because of the gha using up the available phosphates. But when you don't have gha you use it as a fairly reliable source. There is also the +/- margin of error even though it is very small on those meters. Been watching the updates on your tank glb, looks like your recovering quite well.

True, but I know I have some phosphates in my tank even when the Hanna reads zero because there's a little gha growing.

 

[glb]

Oh, I know those meters can read zero because of the gha using up the available phosphates. But when you don't have gha you use it as a fairly reliable source. There is also the +/- margin of error even though it is very small on those meters. Been watching the updates on your tank glb, looks like your recovering quite well.

Thanks for the encouragement! I guess you're right. Once the gha is gone a zero reading is more accurate.

 

[glb]

Thanks for the encouragement! I guess you're right. Once the gha is gone a zero reading is more accurate.

Case in point, my gha is almost gone and the phosphates jumped up to .05, even after changing out my gfo. My guess is that's a truer reading now that there's less gha to feed on it. Thanks for the info.

 

[zesty]

A local guy doses potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate to keep nitrates detectable, also took down his GFO so he could detect some P04. His tank is ok, you can read more about it here.
Reefkeeping Magazine - April 2015 Tank of the Month So, yes it's possible. This is one of the few sources I've heard of this happening, it certainly isn't the norm in what I read. I don't get to hang out with the likes of the tanks in that link very often...

So, back on topic. What are some good ways to do this? Peter only talks about dosing for Nitrates, not P04s.

 

[fuzzone99]

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=sodium+phosphate

Many readily soluble compounds are available as a phosphorus source. Just do the math correctly. Considering that 18.9mg in 100gallons equates to 0.050ppm it doesn't take much to really get into trouble. Also, I would use only food grade additives. I would just feed more heavily if I wanted more phosphates.
Caveat emptor.

Good Luck.