does flake food help cycle

[GeneralGoldeneye]

If I add a little flake food does the break down of it help the cycle process with no fish

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

It can help with producing ammonia, but it will also add phosphates to the tank and you definitely do not want that. I'd stay away from using the flakes.

[GeneralGoldeneye]

It can help with producing ammonia, but it will also add phosphates to the tank and you definitely do not want that. I'd stay away from using the flakes.

this may sound stuped to ask but What is phosphates??

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

PH4 :) Not a good thing for your tank. Phosphates in your marine tank will cause algae. While planted tanks need phosphates, marine tanks will become overrun with algae as a result of them. Phosphates are a result of dry foods breaking down, and also are contained in some frozen foods.

[GeneralGoldeneye]

PH4 :) Not a good thing for your tank. Phosphates in your marine tank will cause algae. While planted tanks need phosphates, marine tanks will become overrun with algae as a result of them. Phosphates are a result of dry foods breaking down, and also are contained in some frozen foods.

oh true I dont want my tank over run with it
Thank you

[MonkeyPox]

Phosphates are a result of dry foods breaking down, and also are contained in some frozen foods.

Slight correction here- phosphates also come from decaying organic matter, (some) activated carbon, salts, tap water, many water "treatment" conditioners, etc..

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

activated carbon, very very few brands, and those that do are not suitable for SW tanks.
salts, none of the main brands add phosphates to your water.
many water "treatment" conditioners, again, this has improved greatly and very very few add phosphates, you'd have to hunt to find them

[MonkeyPox]

Not everyone buys their products from US companies.
Most filters (and subsequent media) do not come in freshwater or saltwater varieties.
some aquarium treatment chemicals do contain phosphates and oxides. However, I said water treatment, and was referring to water treatment facilities.
Inorganic (orthophosphates and polyphosphates) are both frequently found in water treatment plants, the former being more often as the latter is most often used for waste treatment. If you're using well water, however, polyphosphates are frequently found in lake and river run off, mostly due to human activities (laundry detergent as a huge culprit).

References can be provided upon request.

Anyway, the point was simply to show that phosphates are found in a slew of places and not just from decaying food matter.