{"product_id":"tropic-marin-phos-start-75g","title":"Tropic Marin Phos-Start 75 g","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTropic Marin Phos-Start\u003c\/strong\u003e is the opposite of a phosphate remover. It is a startup supplement that \u003cem\u003eadds\u003c\/em\u003e phosphate, and it does it the way a reef does: as insoluble particles rather than dissolved liquid. On a natural reef, corals get phosphate and the rest of what they need from the particulate waste of fish and plankton, and Tropic Marin built this powder around that mechanism. It is aimed at the first months of a new marine tank, especially reef tanks started on fully cured rock, reef ceramics or a bare bottom, where there is almost nothing to feed the microbiome. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/additives-supplements\"\u003eadditives and supplements\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eWhat It Does\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeds the microbiome.\u003c\/strong\u003e Natural marine biopolymers act as bacterial food to get the biology going in a new tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDelivers particulate phosphate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Tropic Marin says recent studies show the insoluble, particulate form is far more efficient for coralline algae and coral growth, color and health than soluble liquid forms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilds coralline.\u003c\/strong\u003e Calcium and trace elements stimulate and support coralline algae growth on fresh rock and ceramics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReplaces what fast growth consumes.\u003c\/strong\u003e The halogen trace elements iodide, fluoride and bromide go back in as coralline and corals take off.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTargeted, not a water-column dump.\u003c\/strong\u003e Because the nutrients are particulate, they go where they are used instead of driving up dissolved nutrient levels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePreps the tank for corals.\u003c\/strong\u003e Tropic Marin positions it as getting a young system ready to support and grow corals, including sensitive SPS.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eHow to Dose\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhen.\u003c\/strong\u003e Through the first 2 to 3 months, during cycling and in the young aquarium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMix it first.\u003c\/strong\u003e Half fill a container with about 200 ml of \u003cstrong\u003eaquarium water\u003c\/strong\u003e, not RO water, add the measured dose and stir until it is mixed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdd it.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pour the mixture into a high flow area of the tank, then rinse the cup out with aquarium water so nothing is left behind.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHow much.\u003c\/strong\u003e Start at 1 ml, the small measuring spoon, per 100 US gallons daily. If after four weeks phosphate has not reached 0.05 to 0.15 ppm, go to 2 ml per 100 gallons. Do not exceed 4 ml per 100 gallons.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhen in the day.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dose around lights out. It clouds the water slightly, and it lines up with corals opening their polyps at night.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTest as you go.\u003c\/strong\u003e The 0.05 to 0.15 ppm window is the target you are dosing toward, so you need a phosphate test that actually reads that low.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:680px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eTropic Marin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e75 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eParticulate phosphate and nutrient supplement for new marine aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContains\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eNatural calcium carbonate microparticles, phosphate mineral powder, natural biopolymers, iodide, fluoride, bromide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStarting dose\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e1 ml per 100 US gallons daily, up to a maximum of 4 ml per 100 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTarget phosphate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e0.05 to 0.15 ppm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUse period\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eFirst 2 to 3 months of a new aquarium\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eSaltwater and reef\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMade in\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003eGermany\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eItem\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e24462, UPC 619106244623\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Pairings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hanna-hi774-phosphate-ultrallow-range-colorimeter\"\u003eHanna HI774 Ultra Low Range Phosphate Checker\u003c\/a\u003e, the test that reads the 0.05 to 0.15 ppm window this product targets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tropic-marin-all-for-reef\"\u003eTropic Marin All-For-Reef\u003c\/a\u003e for calcium, alkalinity and trace elements once the tank is running.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tropic-marin-plus-np\"\u003eTropic Marin Plus-NP\u003c\/a\u003e if you need to carry nitrate and phosphate support past the startup phase.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tropic-marin-reef-actif\"\u003eTropic Marin Reef Actif\u003c\/a\u003e for the microbiome and coral color in an established reef.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this remove phosphate?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, and the name trips people up. Phos-Start \u003cem\u003esupplies\u003c\/em\u003e phosphate, in particulate mineral form, to a new tank that does not have enough of it. If you are trying to pull phosphate down, you want GFO or a phosphate binder instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy would I add phosphate to a reef tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA tank started on cured rock or ceramics can run so clean that there is nothing to feed bacteria, coralline algae or corals. Tropic Marin's position is that a startup system needs a small, controlled supply, in the 0.05 to 0.15 ppm range, rather than zero.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I mix it with RO water?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Tropic Marin specifies aquarium water, about 200 ml, for mixing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMy water goes cloudy and the corals browned out. Is that wrong?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome clouding right after dosing is expected, which is why it goes in at lights out. Temporary algae growth and corals browning slightly early on are described as normal for the startup phase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long do I use it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe first 2 to 3 months. After that the tank's own feeding and waste usually take over, and you move to maintenance products.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tropic Marin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50537208086747,"sku":"TM24462","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/TM24462-2.png?v=1790717150","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tropic-marin-phos-start-75g","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}