Randy: how much phosphate to support 11dkh?

[Miami Reef]

Phosphates: .04ppm (Hannah PPB checker)
Nitrates: 5ppm
Calcium: 460
Alkalinity: 11dkh

How much phosphates to support the growth rate of corals with high alkalinity?

I’m trying to raise it. I had to add a lot of fish pellets to get it at 0.04. And I’m feeding REALLY heavily of frozen LRS food. About 5 times a day of nice sized chunks. No algae in tank.

I want to know if I should keep my nitrates at 5ppm and raise phosphates to 0.10ppm? I have strong lights with mainly lps, 25% softies and lps. My main goal is fast coral growth.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

IMO, 0.04 ppm phosphate is likely adequate. A bit higher is also fine.

If the heavy feeding becomes an issue in any way, dosing nitrate and/or phosphate is cheap and easy.