Phosphate leach from newly added rocks

[Emma1234]

I added some rocks to my tank and within a day of putting them in the tank the phosphate readings have shot up to .4 ppm. Previously the reading was around .04 ppm.

Does anyone know what should be done before putting rocks in the tank that will keep them from leaching phosphates?

I made the rocks myself using a mix of concrete, salt pellets and aragonite and had them sitting outside in a bucket until the ph came down to 8.3. That took 4 months. So I think they are ready for the tank if I can get them from leaking the phosphates.

Thanks!

[whosurcaddie]

You should use Lanthanum Chloride dosed by the capful every other day. This should be done in a separate container with strong waterflow. There is a way to dose it in the DT but you have to dilute it and drip it directly into a filter sock of 10 microns or less.

http://www.amazon.com/SeaKlear-SKZ-U...words=seaklear

[LuciDog]

Put them in a brute can, with salt water, and a powerhead. Chech p04 before starting. Dose lanthenum until the p04 comes down, then watch carefully. Water changes, and monitoring as you wean out the lanthenum.

[Emma1234]

Thanks!

[CStrickland]

Were they in a bucket of rodi for 4 months, or something less pure?
If they picked up that much phos, I'd be worried they may have soaked up something else, like copper etc.

[Emma1234]

Originally Posted by CStrickland

Were they in a bucket of rodi for 4 months, or something less pure?
If they picked up that much phos, I'd be worried they may have soaked up something else, like copper etc.

They were is regular tap water. I didn't have an extra pump so the water didn't circulate either. But I did change the water regularly (more than once a week). I did mix in some sea glass in the rock along with the concrete, salt and argonite.