Should I dose phosphates?

[joekidwell]

The past month I've got my nitrates from 40ppm down to 12.2 with water changes, starting a refugium and only feeding rinsed frozen food. As a result I've also also got my p04 down from .08 to .02. It's a mixed reef with sps and lps.

I'm afraid if I continue at this pace I will deplete all phosphate. I'm unable to feed heavier or my nitrates skyrocket.

This tank is 9 months old, my tests are hannah ulr phosphate and high range nitrate.

Is dosing phosphate the way to go?

 

[shakacuz]

no need to dose until you find yourself lower than you’d like.

 

[bushdoc]

How about feeding more dry food or/and getting more fish?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

IMO, 0.02 is borderline low and I'd begin to consider dosing phosphate in this situation where nitrate is not desired to rise more.

 

[findingsimple]

IMO, 0.02 is borderline low and I'd begin to consider dosing phosphate in this situation where nitrate is not desired to rise more.

What would your recommended product for dosing phosphate? I’m in a similar situation where I think I need to do something to help give my tank a boost

 

[Waters]

I just use reef roids and polyp booster whenever I need to add a little phosphates.......6 drops of the booster and a few scoops of the food and my phosphates jump up by approximately .06 in a 105G tank.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What would your recommended product for dosing phosphate? I’m in a similar situation where I think I need to do something to help give my tank a boost

Food grade sodium phosphate is a good choice.