View Full Version : Fleet Enema
dillct
03-14-2003, 9:07 PM
How much will one drop of Fleet enema increase phosphate in a 37 gallon tank. I know that someone has done the math. 1 Drop of Fleet enema will raise phosphate X amount per 20 gallons or some similar formula?? I'm currently using up to 8 drops in my tank and just barely getting a reading.
Chaz
There are many variables to this question. But the main one is, IMO, number and type of plants. My higher light 40 gal. uses 4-5 drops, twice a week with a very heavy plant load. My 55 gal. lower light tank with crypts and many anubias uses 2-3 drops twice a week, each to maintain a PO4 reading of around 1.0. I test both before adding and it's almost like clockwork. On the other hand, I also test for nitrates at he same time and the need for them varies from week to week. Sometimes they use so little, I don't have to dose KNO3 at all.
Len
dillct
03-15-2003, 8:01 AM
Tank and plant variables aside. I'm looking for some type of calculator or formula. I'm taking a reading with my test kit an hour after adding the Fleet and getting questionable readings (They seem too low for as many drops as I'm adding, 8).
Chaz
djlen
03-15-2003, 11:21 AM
What kind of PO4 test kit are you using? I was using a Hagen and getting the same zero results that you mention, only to find out that one of the reagent bottles(#3) needs to be glass or the test is completely ineffective. There still some of their kits out there with 3 plastic reagent bottles. After Hagen sent me a #3 reagent in a glass bottle I got good readings.
If there is a formula or calculator I'm unaware of it, for dosing PO4. That's why I would never dose it blindly. Only with testing 2 or 3 times a week.
I would take a sample to your LFS and ask them to test it for PO4 for you.
The amount of drops you mention IS high, IMO.
Len