Phosphate Plus is the new additive for reef aquariums intended to advanced reefers presented by Colombo.
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The biggest problem for aquarium beginners is to keep a low rate of phosphates, and nitrates, in a marine aquarium. The mantra, for all of them, is to keep oligotrophic conditions in the tank, to prevent algae flourishing.
As we continue in our hobby, we buy more performing devices as lights, pumps, protein skimmer etc; doing so we can have an undetectable content of phosphates.
This is a potential problem. Because Zooxanthellae, the symbiotic algae living on the external surface of the corals, have a mutual relationship of survival with the coral itself, and they need phosphates to live.
Of course we are talking about not only those situations where phosphates are not detectable with a test, but also when they are missing at all. As you know indeed, it happens that even if we have a bioavailable source of phosphates, usually due to a high number of fish, they are absorbed by the algae and so they are not detectable, even if present.
In this case we have to add a controlled source of phosphates.
Colombo Phosphate Plus
We are helped here by Colombo Phosphate Plus, that is exactly a bioavailable and controlled source of phosphates.
The phosphate rate to keep in a marine aquarium, without algae, is according to Colombo between 0,03 e 0,06 mg/l, and I agree with this, by the way, even if I would stay closer to 0,03 mg/l. But I remind that those values must be kept without algae, differently final results could be affected.
Colombo Phosphate Plus adds 0,01 mg/l each 100 litres with a 0,1 ml dosing. This means that for a 300 litres tank with a non detectable phosphate level, to reach the value of 0,03 mg/l we should add 0,9 ml of this product.
Colombo suggests to dose up to 0,1 ml of product in a day, and to constantly monitor with a good test kit the phosphate level in the tank, to prevent algae and cyanobacteria issues.
It is available in 1 litre pack and it costs 20,65 euros.
What do you think about it?
