Phosphate dosing recommendations?

helwrj28 · Jun 11, 2023

As title states, curious what products people use to dose phosphates for reef tank.

I just came across 1000 mL phosphate+ by Nyos that looks cost effective! Curious if anyone has any experience using..

Any information is most appreciated thanks!

Aaron75 · Jun 11, 2023

helwrj28 said:
As title states, curious what products people use to dose phosphates for reef tank.

I just came across 1000 mL phosphate+ by Nyos that looks cost effective! Curious if anyone has any experience using..

Any information is most appreciated thanks!

I use reef roids. I used neophos and it worked but wanted a more "natural" way to raise it.

jackson6745 · Jun 11, 2023

+1 on reef roids. Its po4 addition lasts longer. With Neo-phos it gets sucked out of the water column very fast.

exnisstech · Jun 11, 2023

This is what I use when I need to raise the phos.

helwrj28 · Jun 11, 2023

Appreciate the recommendation on reef roids. I feed 2x/week with reef chili and it doesn't seem to impact phosphates at all.. should I try reef roids instead?

helwrj28 · Jun 11, 2023

exnisstech said:
This is what I use when I need to raise the phos.

What do you use to calculate your concentration?

Aaron75 · Jun 11, 2023

helwrj28 said:
Appreciate the recommendation on reef roids. I feed 2x/week with reef chili and it doesn't seem to impact phosphates at all.. should I try reef roids instead?

I've never used chili so I can't speak on its nutrient impact, but reef roids has a very clear impact on phosphates specifically. So much so that it can get out of hand quickly. My quick research (google) showed me chili effects nutrients far less.

exnisstech · Jun 11, 2023

helwrj28 said:
What do you use to calculate your concentration?

Too be honest I can't remember exactly how I calculated it but there are some calculators out there. It's been a while and my memory isn't great and I'm not much of chemist or math guy to start with. I have it calculated so I can raise phos by 0.08 with each dose but thats specific to my tanks sizes and wouldn't help you. I do mix 1 teaspoon to 2 liters of RODI for my mix. Sorry I cant be if more help.

helwrj28 · Jun 11, 2023

James' Planted Tank - Dosing Calculator

Is this what you used?

underwaterjr · Jun 11, 2023

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Dissolve it in fresh water and add it. I'd add 0.03 ppm per day and see what that does to start.

Here's a calculator. Use the entry for "phosphate from potassium phosphate". Sodium phosphate (any type; trisodium, disodium, or monosodium) will be close enough since this is not an exact science, but rather added in by trial and error.

James' Planted Tank - Dosing Calculator

This is the calculator I used with the product mentioned above with directions from the resident chemist on these forums. This is from an old post so if not correct info anymore I apologize.

RyanN · Jun 13, 2023

What levels are you all shooting for? I have a mixed reef but I have a lot of toadstool corals and 1 of them is gigantic. My Hanna reads .07 but ATI ICP came back with a 0 reading.

helwrj28 · Jun 13, 2023

Thank you for the information! And yes I'm looking for appropriate range as right now I'm at 0. Also how much should I try to raise it over the course of a few days? Week? Month?

Aaron75 · Jun 13, 2023

helwrj28 said:
Thank you for the information! And yes I'm looking for appropriate range as right now I'm at 0. Also how much should I try to raise it over the course of a few days? Week? Month?

Most options have an appropriate dose. I'm pretty sure neophos gives you a max dose of .04 at a time. I'd feed Reef roids as they recommend and monitor.

helwrj28 · Jun 14, 2023

Appreciate all the assistance!

Does anyone have a method of increasing the sensitivity of the API phosphate test kit? Stupid me I bought this instead of something more reliable for low ranges...

Aaron75 · Jun 14, 2023

helwrj28 said:
Appreciate all the assistance!

Does anyone have a method of increasing the sensitivity of the API phosphate test kit? Stupid me I bought this instead of something more reliable for low ranges...

No, API has its roles but monitoring Phosphates just isn't one of em, the range is just way too much. You can monitor and know you have more than 0 but less than .25 if the color is less than and go off that for now. I'd highly recommend a Hanna ULR tester.