I restarted my SCA 150 on August 10, 2021 with RODI and 35ppt Instant Ocean. I have not added anything for cycling. All rock was dry before startup. 50 lbs is previously used and 100lbs new dry rock. I have some very fine pure silica sand used from previous build rinsed very well for a DSB. I also have 80 lbs of Carib sea dry aragonite well rinsed.
I knew I would need to dose Lanthanum Chloride to pull the Phosphate locked in the used rock. My initial PO4 level was 0.31 on Hanna H1774. I am running a 10 micron sock to attempt to filter out the LaPO4. I have by no means kept a consistent schedule of dosing or amount. Neither have I kept track of any testing. I tried to dose into my overflow so the LaCl would react before hitting the sock but this proved too tedious. I figured my dose to be 5ml. I tried dosing 25 ML which would turn the water cloudy white which would clear up within 10 minutes. I tried dosing 25ml immediately after the water cleared up and the water wouldn't turn cloudy. To me this said that I removed all PO4 from the water with the initial dose. I switched to using Orenda PR-10,000. It claims to remove 5 times as much PO4. I have used 2 full quarts and have started dosing the 3rd quart.
I just checked today and my Phosphate level was 0.26. The last week has been between 0.08-0.13. I am so confused why my levels have not dropped!
I knew I would need to dose Lanthanum Chloride to pull the Phosphate locked in the used rock. My initial PO4 level was 0.31 on Hanna H1774. I am running a 10 micron sock to attempt to filter out the LaPO4. I have by no means kept a consistent schedule of dosing or amount. Neither have I kept track of any testing. I tried to dose into my overflow so the LaCl would react before hitting the sock but this proved too tedious. I figured my dose to be 5ml. I tried dosing 25 ML which would turn the water cloudy white which would clear up within 10 minutes. I tried dosing 25ml immediately after the water cleared up and the water wouldn't turn cloudy. To me this said that I removed all PO4 from the water with the initial dose. I switched to using Orenda PR-10,000. It claims to remove 5 times as much PO4. I have used 2 full quarts and have started dosing the 3rd quart.
I just checked today and my Phosphate level was 0.26. The last week has been between 0.08-0.13. I am so confused why my levels have not dropped!