Phosphate levels

[Riblet]

How long would it take for rock to leach out enough phosphate to reach equilibrium with the water? I'm soaking my rock in water to see what the phosphate level is now after treating the rock, should I wait 24 or 48 hours before I test or longer?

 

[lowbudget]

it takes a long time. depends on how bad it is. or use that acid to melt off the top layer

 

[happaman]

I've soaked dead rock in a lye solution. I've recharged GFO with lye and figured it would work with rock since the lye binds with the phosphate.

 

[Reefnoobie12]

Wait so putting dry rock in a tank is bad?

 

[wickedfish]

I would hook up a Gfo reactor with absurd amount of Gfo if it's still testing high now. Once your outlet on the Gfo tests 0 @ different times then the rock has expelled the phosphate.

But your using rodi or saltwater and this was always dead? Last thing you want to add is hose water to that rock

 

[sonnus]

In our store we check phosphate levels for customers constantly. In my experience, the higher the phosphate levels in the rock/sand the faster it raises in the water column. In most cases it goes up in 48-72 hours.

 

[high dollar slime]

I think we all need to look at where the "rock" comes from and how it was "made" originally...If you burn off the top organic rich layer of a calcium based rock that has been developing over hundreds or thousands of years in a "nutrient rich" area.....you may neutralize the outer layer...BUT.. - it stands to reason that the WHOLE calcium matrix is probably carrying a higher P04 ratio than you would like to introduce into a closed system...
I personally use large pieces of dried "branching" coral species to aquascape....At least you know the species that created the original matrix lived in an outer reef area that allowed them to thrive ...ie low nutrient....large clumpy coral rocks dont give a lot of indication as to where they developed, and they could have been marinating in bays or anywhere else that they are easy to harvest.... JMO...Hoping other Bio/Eco reefers will chime in for discussion....Cheers...ES

 

[Surgical]

My rock scape is at least 75% coral skeleton(big uns) and i have never had a reading for phosphate (0.00 hanna checker) i wonder if what you say has something to do with it? At least in part?