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What is the best way to take phosphates out of water? Is there a special type of filter media, or does plain activated carbon do the trick? The reason I ask, is that I am having a slight algae problem. I am 90% sure the phosphate levels are causing it. I have a planted tank (not heavily planted), the plants have done a great job with the nitrates (5 ppm, currently) but the phosphate levels are still around 4 ppm. Is this high enough to cause the algae to out compete the plants? I have read that the trick to algae control is a balance of nutrients, am I just not balanced? I do weekly 20% water changes. I have cut back on feeding.

Part of the problem is the tap water. According to my tests, the tap water has levels of 1 ppm. I checked the test using distilled which read 0 ppm, as it should.

So what is the best way for me to remove the phosphates?

Algae killer is not an option, since it is not fixing the problem, just the symptoms.

Thanks

Carbon to my understanding will do nothing for removing phosphates. I've used Seachems Phosguard in the past with great success with the brown algae. I have read that some fish are sensitive to phosphate removers so you may want to post the stock list.

Some people will suggest small (10% or so) daily water changes. This may help (it didnt for me) unless you have phosphates in your water supply.

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Tap water has 1 ppm.

Stock list:

Tiger Barbs (6)
Julii Catfish (3)(leopard Corys)
Cherry Barbs (2)

How does the Phosgaurd work? Does it change the PO4 to something else, or is it a filter media?

The one I use is a filter media, little white balls, and I assume that it absorbs the phosphates like carbon absorbs various contaminants. Here's what the bottle says:
"PhosGuard rapidly removes phosphate and sillicate from
marine and freshwater aquaria. It is not recommended for
phosphate buffered freshwater. PhosGu7ard is highly pourus
for high capacity and bead shaped for optimum water flow.

I do remember seeing some that were combo nitrAte and phosphate remover, was told by the clerk @the lfs that this brand was really the best for FW (the others being designed more for SW or something like that)...besides I didnt' want my nitrAtes reduced .

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Last edited by Babelfish at 09-Dec-2004 10:53

I am also using the Seachem Phosgaurd in my filtration as well. Are you adding any plant fert that contains phosphate as well?

No fertilizers that I am adding have Phosphates (I made sure of that when I bought them). The only thing I am adding with phosphates is fish food. Is some fish food better than others in this respect?

Phosguard sounds like it might be the way for me to go. I'll check it out.

If you do use Phosgaurd, make sure you read and follow all the directions before using it. If you go to www.seachem.com and read their more indepth information and description on the product as well.

Will do. Thanks for the advice

Take great care with Phosguard. It can kill especially fish such as Clown Loaches. I used to have four in my tank till I used this product. Only one survived. I tried the product again and noticed in a short space of time the loach was very stressed. If you have sensitive fish be very careful. I now have a clean up crew in the tank who are doing a great job with the algae and I have varied the diet of the fish even further to reduce phosphate levels. my tank is down to 1ppm. Otherwise Phosguard works if your fish can handle it.
Cheers, James.

James, before adding the Phosguard did you rinse it out under tap water for a while?

I have been told in another forum, that high phosphate, with low nitrates, in a planted tank, can be a sign of low Potassium which is needed by the plants to use the phosphate. It was suggested that I dose for Potassium and check out the results. since Potassium is not linked to algae, I think this is the route I am going to try. I mean, one of the purposes of plants, other than being beautiful, is to use up excess nitrates and phosphates. If this theory doesn't work, then I will use the Phosguard.

Thank you all for your input and advice.

Thanks james747, I knew I'd seen somewhere that some fish were sensitive to its use, and was pretty sure it was clown loaches...which is why I suggested that the original poster list their tank stock.
good luck fosteder

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Last edited by Babelfish at 10-Dec-2004 11:23

Gave it a good rinse and still had problems. I was interested to hear low potassium levels can cause high phosphates. I've got VERY low nitrate levels. I might give that a go myself.
Cheers, James.

That was what I was told. Remember, this advice only works in planted tanks. Supposedly the plants can't use phosphate without potassium.

I had to move my fish tank anyway, so I did a large water change, and dosed for potassium. I will let you know if it worked.

Well, the great thing about dosing potassium is that unlike nitrogen and phosphorus, if you overdo it, there won't be bad results. You'd have to be really pouring your K source in for anything at all bad (algae, etc) to happen.

-Molly
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