Phosphate dosing

[RockyProndoa]

I received my ATI test results back and unfortunately my tank is out of whack; High nitrates (20ppm) and 0 phosphates. Suggestion was to dose phosphate, which I agree with because it seems the tank is not doing well (coralline and corals receding); I'm guessing the NO3 is not being consumed without the presence of the phosphate.

Long story short, I have some KH2PO4 laying around and I made a solution of 1.5g/450ml h2o. I added 15ml of this which should add 0.06ppm phosphate.... Is my math right on this? Any idea how often? Change dosing amount?

Thanks for the help!

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

I think you are just going to need to test the tank and see what works. phosphate shouldn't be sucked up that quickly (most of the time).

 

[RockyProndoa]

I think you are just going to need to test the tank and see what works. phosphate shouldn't be sucked up that quickly (most of the time).

I realize that. Before I get to that point I'd like to know how much I'm putting in the tank to begin with [emoji2]

 

[Gareth elliott]

How big is your tank?

Phosphate will bind to rocks and sand pretty effectively. I would dose and test 24 hours later see what is left. Repeat till you have found what your tank needs to maintain something measurable.

 

[RockyProndoa]

How big is your tank?

Phosphate will bind to rocks and sand pretty effectively. I would dose and test 24 hours later see what is left. Repeat till you have found what your tank needs to maintain something measurable.

135g and 100g sump, roughly 175g actual volume.

I understand and appreciate all of the testing and 'see what your tank uses' thoughts, but again, I'm looking to double check my math; for some reason it seems like an extremely small amount of material (literally like an 1/8tsp) when I actually make up the solution. Rather than test and retest for the next 100 years, it's far easier to know the actual amount I am putting in the tank to start to develop a baseline and work from there. If the math is wrong, regardless of how many times I test I won't get the dosing correct because the ratio will be off... If that makes sense lol.

 

[Gareth elliott]

I get your dose at ~.04ppm

I would double your dose and test.

Anecdotal but i am dosing 2g k2hpo4 in 200ml rodi in 3ml daily and only getting .06ppm on a 50g total volume system.

 

[RockyProndoa]

I get your dose at ~.04ppm

I would double your dose and test.

Anecdotal but i am dosing 2g k2hpo4 in 200ml rodi in 3ml daily and only getting .06ppm on a 50g total volume system.

Perfect. Thank you.

 

[Billldg]

What is everyone using to raise phosphate and where can u buy it, I tested mine and it's at 0 ppm, I feed the corals and tested again the next morning and it was at .02 ppm, tested the next morning and it was back down to 0 ppm, not enough fish yet and have to wait several weeks to add more fish as they r in QT.

 

[RockyProndoa]

What is everyone using to raise phosphate and where can u buy it, I tested mine and it's at 0 ppm, I feed the corals and tested again the next morning and it was at .02 ppm, tested the next morning and it was back down to 0 ppm, not enough fish yet and have to wait several weeks to add more fish as they r in QT.

Quite a few options out there - Seachem Flourish, Neophos, I personally use basic KH2PO4 - but at least a few options there to get you started. [emoji1]