quickest way to reduce phosphates

[Charlie G]

How do you promote or influence unbinding of phosphate from the rock and sand without using methods such as gfo or LC? Is it just by decreased feeding and water changes? I would assume even if phosphates leach out of rock it still has the ability to bind more.
Trying to understand what happens with regard to phosphate in rock and substrate.

 

[jda]

po4 has no ability to leach out of the rock. It cannot leave or drain away whenever it wants. It can unbind when the water level gets lower. It can also bind more when the water level get higher. Lowering the water level amount and having the rock unbind to a new, lower equilibrium is the only way.

 

[Charlie G]

Got it. Understood.
Thanks.

 

[bakbay]

I’ve used LC several times now with full SPS tank and a yellow tang without any issues. Just start small, test, and increase dosage as required. Like others have mentioned, make sure to have filter socks. It will also make your water cloudy so do it after the light is out.