PHOSPHATE & THE REEF AQUARIUM    -By Kirk Masters                                                                                                               Amazing Coral Reef

It is important to have some phosphate, silica and nitrate in a Reef tank. (For a look at the phosphate cycle please refer to MOE or other reference texts. ) The catch is not have too much. Phosphate reacts with calcium to form an insoluble calcium phosphate particle. In any container it is first difficult to remove suspended particles as fine as the precipatated phosphate. It is normal for fine particles to take days or months to settle. When ever you have a cloudy solution, you have some thing suspended. (For tap water use 1-1 1/2 tsp Kalkwasser per gal of makeup: for RO water use 1 tsp Kalkwasser per gal.of makeup, agitate alot and allow to settle for a few hours. Use only the clear liquid above the sludge on the bottom. ) In your Kalkwasser mix this is normally calcium carbonate, CaOH and a little bit of Ca3PO4. Do not worry. Let it settle out in a few hours and then drip it into your tank . ( A better method is to use 17 liter wine vats (plug the top to prevent CO2 mixing) to store your make up and add 1-1/2 tsp Kalkwasser for tap water and 1 tsp for RO water and plug the top. Let this settle for up to 5 days and then you can prepare your Kalkwasser pH must be 12.4+ and use it right away. ) Your skimmer, however is a great way to remove these particles from the aquarium. It was over 60 years ago that Calgon first introduced phosphate in boilers to remove calcium in a high pH environment. Calgon stands for Ca lcium all gon e. In a reef tank using Kalkwasser we would say Phosphate all gone or Palgon. When you use Kalkwasser you must apply it slowly over at least half of the day.  Best is 24 hrs a day in your makeup water.

CompanyAddress

Electronic mail

General Information: kaptnk@yesic.com
Sales: kaptnk@yesic.com