white precipitation residue from Trisodium Phosphate dosing

rowenaad

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Hi, today i dosed a few drops of Trisodium Phosphate solution and noticed it became some white flake-like residue floating all around the tank. Im pretty sure it did not happen the last time i used that solution. Is this normal? TIA
 

Dan_P

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Hi, today i dosed a few drops of Trisodium Phosphate solution and noticed it became some white flake-like residue floating all around the tank. Im pretty sure it did not happen the last time i used that solution. Is this normal? TIA
I think the phosphate solution is too concentrated. The precipitate could be magnesium hydroxide from the high pH of the phosphate solution, or calcium phosphate, or both plus others.
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

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I agree. Dilute it more and add to a high flow area away from corals. It is a high pH solution so some precipitation of magnesium hydroxide may happen, but it should redissolve. You want to mix it in before calcium phosphate forms. A little vinegar mixed with it may also work.
 
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