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- Jan 11, 2017
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I have been dosing phosphates in my reef for the past several weeks via Brightwell's NeoPhos. For a long time my phosphates were undetectable (Hanna ULR Phosphorus) with significant negative effects on SPS. LPS were not affected and were thriving despite low nutrients. I tried unsuccessfully to get my nutrient levels up by natural methods such as reduced water changes and overfeeding, so I started dosing.
At the start (2 months ago) the rocks and substrate were binding a lot of the phosphate, so I would dose manually, and the numbers would quickly return to 0. Around the same time I rented a PAR meter from BRS and made some minor adjustments to the lighting, increasing PAR by ~10%. I have ramped up the dosing slowly since then and am now maintaining a consistent reading of about 4ppb @ 4ml x 4 times daily via an electronic doser. The SPS are looking really good now, but the LPS, in particular chalices, acans and Duncans which were once puffy and happy prior to dosing have been withering away 1 by 1. In addition, ALK consumption stagnated about 2 weeks ago, and is now slowly but steadily decreasing over the past 4-5 days (I test daily). I am starting to get concerned. NO3, which was also 0 at the time I began phosphate dosing has been stable around 2-3ppm for several weeks.
When I started dosing, I asked whether the ion in conjunction with the phosphate in the NeoPhos could cause any deleterious effects by sustained, long term dosing. Although the Brightwell packaging indicates that the NeoPhos is a "proprietary blend", it was suggested that it was primarily a blend of Sodium and Potassium phosphate salts. I am considering sending out an ICP test to see if either of these elements are elevated.
In the meantime, what is the best course of action? Is it unlikely that the phosphate dosing is causing these problems? Should I look for other causes? I am concerned that if I discontinue phosphate dosing that the numbers will plummet to 0 again and I will be quickly back at square one.
Thanks in advance for your help.
At the start (2 months ago) the rocks and substrate were binding a lot of the phosphate, so I would dose manually, and the numbers would quickly return to 0. Around the same time I rented a PAR meter from BRS and made some minor adjustments to the lighting, increasing PAR by ~10%. I have ramped up the dosing slowly since then and am now maintaining a consistent reading of about 4ppb @ 4ml x 4 times daily via an electronic doser. The SPS are looking really good now, but the LPS, in particular chalices, acans and Duncans which were once puffy and happy prior to dosing have been withering away 1 by 1. In addition, ALK consumption stagnated about 2 weeks ago, and is now slowly but steadily decreasing over the past 4-5 days (I test daily). I am starting to get concerned. NO3, which was also 0 at the time I began phosphate dosing has been stable around 2-3ppm for several weeks.
When I started dosing, I asked whether the ion in conjunction with the phosphate in the NeoPhos could cause any deleterious effects by sustained, long term dosing. Although the Brightwell packaging indicates that the NeoPhos is a "proprietary blend", it was suggested that it was primarily a blend of Sodium and Potassium phosphate salts. I am considering sending out an ICP test to see if either of these elements are elevated.
In the meantime, what is the best course of action? Is it unlikely that the phosphate dosing is causing these problems? Should I look for other causes? I am concerned that if I discontinue phosphate dosing that the numbers will plummet to 0 again and I will be quickly back at square one.
Thanks in advance for your help.