Fleet Enema

D

dillct

AC Members
Nov 28, 2002
12
0
0
Florida
Visit site
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
 
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
 
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
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom