phosphate

[Leonard1990]

Hello everyone my name is Leonard my Phosphate number are at .71 in my 125 gallons reef it is 6 months old I have 6 fish and 6 corals and 1 cleaner shrimp and 2 pepper shrimp with multiple hermit crabs and 4 snails. I just bought Phosphate drops and store owner said I do 15 drops for 3 weeks and that should drop my numbers. Is there anything else I should be doing to make those numbers drops.

 

[Saltyreef]

Hello everyone my name is Leonard my Phosphate number are at .71 in my 125 gallons reef it is 6 months old I have 6 fish and 6 corals and 1 cleaner shrimp and 2 pepper shrimp with multiple hermit crabs and 4 snails. I just bought Phosphate drops and store owner said I do 15 drops for 3 weeks and that should drop my numbers. Is there anything else I should be doing to make those numbers drops.

Whats the product you purchased called?

 

[bushdoc]

Welcome to R2R!
I would refrain from using those “ phosphate drops” for now.Please show us pic or name of this product.

 

[EricR]

Lots of methods ... I'd vote try GFO first

 

[bushdoc]

For a new reefer, I would recommend something not requiring reactor, like PhosGuard or RowaPhos. Although less effective, it might be a good start and you can add reactor later.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It is probably a lanthanum solution.

 

[Leonard1990]

Here is what they recommended

 

[Leonard1990]

 

[bushdoc]

As Randy said, this is Lanthanum chloride. It’s a legitimate stuff to lower phosphates in reef tank, but there are few caveats:

• It can strip your tank out of phosphates very fast,
• it causes phosphates to precipitate and those can ”clog” fish gills, causing respiratory failure and even death, especially in some fish

To avoid those issues Lanthanum chloride should be dripped slowly, preferably in diluted form to 5 micron sock or directly to skimmer. Some reefers reported troubles with their fish even when they dripped it into skimmer intake. I would also recommend using much lower dose then manufacturer recommendation to avoid precipitous lowering of phosphate levels.
use it with caution and do some more research. There are some threads here, describing how to drip this stuff into your tank.
I used it personally ( different brand) with good results.

 

[Leonard1990]

The guy said to do 20 drops for 5 days then 10 drops last 2 weeks

 

[bushdoc]

The guy said to do 20 drops for 5 days then 10 drops last 2 weeks

You can follow his advice, but I prefer to check my phosphates and use appropriate amount of Lanthanum based on tank volume and phosphate level. I just recommend doing it slower then advised as it is not so easy to undo it. Instructions for dosing should be included with a package.

 

[anthonygf]

I use 8 drops in my 75 gallon and it lowers phos 0.01ppm or using the UL range Hanna Tester lowers from 41ppb to 31ppb in one day. I have used this stuff on and off for a couple years with no problems for my fish. Have my fish now for 7 years. Just dose into overflow or sock/filter and not into DT.

 

[Leonard1990]

You can follow his advice, but I prefer to check my phosphates and use appropriate amount of Lanthanum based on tank volume and phosphate level. I just recommend doing it slower then advised as it is not so easy to undo it. Instructions for dosing should be included with a package.

Ok sounds good thank you.