I think I might be the first person in the reefing community to wonder this.
What’s my reasoning?
Phosphate gets adsorbed on rocks and calcium carbonate.
Phosphate can inhibit calcification.
Silicate can interfere phosphate tests.
Can silicate adsorb onto calcium carbonate surfaces?
I asked, and I got this answer:
So, do you think 1-2ppm silicate can inhibit calcification?
What’s my reasoning?
Phosphate gets adsorbed on rocks and calcium carbonate.
Phosphate can inhibit calcification.
Silicate can interfere phosphate tests.
Can silicate adsorb onto calcium carbonate surfaces?
I asked, and I got this answer:
I expect it does to some extent, but I’m not sure how much or if it is significant in a reef context. For example, calcium silicate is not very soluble, indicating a good likelihood of some binding.
So, do you think 1-2ppm silicate can inhibit calcification?
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