Back me up or correct my thinking

[hoffmeyerz]

I spent time earlier this year implementing All for Reef and getting all parameters in line for adding coral. I ran Phosgaurd to keep PO4 around .03-.05. I added 3 zoa frags and a small goni about six weeks ago and PO4 has dropped to 0 shortly after without running Phosgaurd.
I am leaning towards dosing some trisodium phosphate but don't want to knee jerk.
I know there is some PO4 present even though Hanna reads 0, I have a very small amount of algae growth and corals are all very happy, extended, and open.
Part of me wants to see a measurable PO4 reading but I also try to follow the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" rule! I have kept things in this state for about the last 4 weeks. Normal manual cleanings and cleanup crew keeps up with the small algae growth that I see.
My thinking is to leave things alone and watch as there must be PO4 present or should I dose tsp?
Everything else reads:
Sal - 1.025
NO3 - 9
ALK - 8 dkh
CAL - 420
MAG - 1280

 

[sixty_reefer]

My thought is if you can’t detect residual then it would be difficult to guarantee that it’s there.

The term “if ain’t broke don’t fixe it” it’s not applicable.

Would you react the same way if you was to observe alkalinity dropping below range?

 

[KrisReef]

Feed reefroids and retest for a detectable P number.

Polyps don’t like ULNP and it’s not because they don’t have a football team at ULN?

 

[bobnicaragua]

I would add a fish or two and try feeding more.

An auto feeder with pellets will definitely help.

 

[CHSUB]

I would directly feed the corals a fine particulate food, the zoas will capture brine shrimp Goni needs smaller. No reason to dose po4 at your stage.

 

[hoffmeyerz]

My thought is if you can’t detect residual then it would be difficult to guarantee that it’s there.

The term “if ain’t broke don’t fixe it” it’s not applicable.

Would you react the same way if you was to observe alkalinity dropping below range?

I agree, however, was basing my thought on the tester margin of error and presence of algae growth and coral behavior.
I tend to watch parameters for trends and not react to quickly.
I have no problem raising PO4 just don't want to cause another problem by trying to fix one.

 

[hoffmeyerz]

Feed reefroids and retest for a detectable P number.

Polyps don’t like ULNP and it’s not because they don’t have a football team at ULN?

I fed reefeoids with my first addition of corals about 8mos ago. PO4 dropped like now so I fed more pellets and reefeoids. Kept going trying to get a reading but ended up with a ton of algae that eventually choked out the corals I added.
A little nervous with the roids!

 

[CHSUB]

My thought is if you can’t detect residual then it would be difficult to guarantee that it’s there

Zero on Hanna is in the error range, per Hanna. If the checker detects no change in sample it give an error.

 

[hoffmeyerz]

I would add a fish or two and try feeding more.

An auto feeder with pellets will definitely help.

Was considering this, always nice to add fish right!
Don't have an auto feeder but I'm typically feeding pellets in the am and brine or mysis in the evening.

 

[exnisstech]

Zeros make me nervous so I dose N and P when I see zero on either. I have two tank that run low. I'm fully stocked and already feed pretty heavy several times a day.

 

[hoffmeyerz]

Zeros make me nervous so I dose N and P when I see zero on either. I have two tank that run low. I'm fully stocked and already feed pretty heavy several times a day.

That makes sense to me. If you're already feeding heavy and fully stocked there's not really anywhere else to go but to dose for zero readings.
Trust me, the zero does make me nervous but I'm trying to think first rather than act first. I learned reacting to quickly was typically bad for me.

 

[exnisstech]

I think reacting quickly is bad for everyone lol.
I don't use anything fancy just food grade sodium nitrate and loudwolf trisodium phosphate. The tanks that I was having to dose seem the be starting to level out and I'm not testing zeros nearly as often as I used to. Tank maturity or something along those lines I suppose.

 

[Subsea]

I agree, however, was basing my thought on the tester margin of error and presence of algae growth and coral behavior.
I tend to watch parameters for trends and not react to quickly.
I have no problem raising PO4 just don't want to cause another problem by trying to fix one.

I am a big believer in using bioindicators instead of chasing numbers.

 

[hoffmeyerz]

I think reacting quickly is bad for everyone lol.
I don't use anything fancy just food grade sodium nitrate and loudwolf trisodium phosphate. The tanks that I was having to dose seem the be starting to level out and I'm not testing zeros nearly as often as I used to. Tank maturity or something along those lines I suppose.

I like this approach, I was actually looking at the loudwolf tap as well. My tank is 3yrs old now and has been pretty stable with the exception of my own muck ups, just adjusting to the corals now.
I'll prob order that tsp so I have it but continue to watch/test and if I get to the point of feeling like I need to dose for P I'll start with an extremely small dose.
Thanks for the input!

 

[kevgib67]

I’d at least get them detectable to prevent dinos, you can be walking a fine line with zero phosphate.

 

[hoffmeyerz]

I’d at least get them detectable to prevent dinos, you can be walking a fine line with zero phosphate.

I hear you and agree. I've been walking that line for a bit now and think I'm about at it's edge. I added a diamond goby today and will increase my pellet feeding. Give it 3-4 more days maybe and if I'm still showing 0 I think I'll have to go another step.
Slow and steady right!

 

[kevgib67]

I hear you and agree. I've been walking that line for a bit now and think I'm about at it's edge. I added a diamond goby today and will increase my pellet feeding. Give it 3-4 more days maybe and if I'm still showing 0 I think I'll have to go another step.
Slow and steady right!

You are going to have what clean sand, I love mine. It will settle down from its sand scaping once it makes it’s permanent den. Mine eats like a pig, I’m pretty sure it would eat a chicken nugget if I dropped one in.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Which Hanna?

If a ULR type, I'd feed more or dose. Dosing is cheaper, but feeding more can be easier for many folks. I would not leave phosphate undetectable.

 

[hoffmeyerz]

Which Hanna?

If a ULR type, I'd feed more or dose. Dosing is cheaper, but feeding more can be easier for many folks. I would not leave phosphate undetectable.

Thanks for the reply Randy!
Not the ULR Hanna tester. I have upped my pellet feeding but have ordered some tsp as well. I will start with a very small amount of I start dosing though. Things look good in the tank and I don't want to muck it up by doing too much too fast!