Reef Roids causing large Phospate spike

[dzeleski]

I have a 55 gallon system and it appears every single time I feed with reef roids I get a massive phos spike. Nitrates are not spiking at all, the largely stay around 1-2 ppm. I aim to keep my phos around 0.8 - .12, I keep it a bit higher because I use Lanthanum Chloride which is dosed automatically and want to make sure it has phos to bind to so that I limit my alk drop when dosing.

I test phos and alk every other day with hanna checkers. I have two instances logged now where dosing reef roids cretes a huge spike 24 hours later and that spike remains for several days. I swap and clean filter socks every 3 days, protein skimmer is dumped and the cup cleaned every 3 days.

Instance 1: 0.6 -> .17
Instance 2: 0.9 -> .21

At this point im going to stop using reef roids as I cannot keep having this roller coaster of phos as its going to start killing acros. Both of these doses used 2x 0.15cc measuring scoops. (The one that came with reef chilli). Which is no where near the 1/4 tsp per 25 gallons. Reef Chilli has a phos impact but it is no where near this severe.

Does anyone else experience this? I was using roids because they have a finer partical size but I think I need to look at another food like reef snow or something.

 

[KrisReef]

I’ve never measured it but I’ve read others who mentioned P elevation from that food. I use it only sparingly as I have not liked the “ looks” of the coral after feeding Rr.

 

[saltybees]

I had the same experience, phos spike and it just seemed to tick the corals off more then anything. I just dose phyto and mysis for the fish and let the corals catch the scraps now.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Yeah roids will definitely make your po4 spike. I have some but it just sits on a shelf for that reason

 

[dzeleski]

Thanks guys, into the garbage it goes. Ill stick with reef chili and maybe try reef snow or reef energy or something along those lines.

 

[Duffer]

the only time i use reef roids is when my phosphates get dangerously low, i put some in the tank and low and behold my phosphates spike right back up

 

[brokeaquarist]

i just use it to feed fish babies :0

 

[jmichaelh7]

Not something a refugium can’t address ?

 

[Simsung]

I use RR but I do not broadcast feed. I make a thick paste out of it and put it directly on corals that can swallow it.
Had great results doing it this way.