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I just got me a phosphate test and checked my levels last night. The test only goes to 3ppm and my level was over that. It wasn't too much darker than the 3ppm so I assume it is about 4ppm.

Is that considered high? I haven't checked my other parameters lately, but my nitrates usually stay around 20ppm.

I do have an algae problem, but it is getting better with more frequent water changes and cleaning.

I am pretty sure the high level comes from overfeeding. I only feed once a day, but I think I feed a little too much. Also, my tank is pushing the stocking limits...so, i'm sure that also contributes to the high level.

When do you worry about removing phosphate? I need to check the phosphate in my tap...I'll have to do that tonight. Does it affect my plants in any way?


*Kristin*

GirlieGirl,

Well, that is a question that is currently (or was recently) heavily discussed in my log.

While we all most agree that 3ppm is not an issue (if all else is in sink), we did not identify a level at which P is becoming an issue .

I for a while had a measurable P of 5ppm or more, and I have loads of thread algae (what algae do you have? ). I blamed P on it and so far I have heard the P doesn't cause algae, yet nobody actually had 5ppm to prove me wrong (right guys? ).

I would for sure say that overfeeding and upper limit fish load have something to do with why your P is so high. And I am glad that your current water change routine seems to lower the algae problem. Let me make a guess here before you actually measure your P in the tab - 1 to 2 ppm.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

What dechlorinator are you using? I used to use this chlorinator that was phosphate based and that gave me a phosphate level of over 10 ppm. This was a buffering dechlorinator. Us dechlorinaters that leave the ph alone. After i stopped using the phosphate based dechlorinater, my phosphate went form over 10ppm to just 2ppm in a month. I havent tested it since then to see if it went lower, i guess i should.

LittleFish: The algae I have was identified as some type of beard algae. When I posted before, no one could give me a good ID. Here is a picture of what it looks like when it gets out of control:

And here is what it looks like even after I wipe it off the plants:
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It not as bad as that last picture anymore...but still there. I try to wipe off all the plants and gravel vac to suck up any algae on the gravel and hanging off the plants.

I will measure the tap tonight...when I get off work...and see if you are right.

clownloachfan: I use Tetra Aqua Safe as a dechlorinator most of the time...I also have Stress Coat. I haven't checked the Phosphate content in them. They don't buffer the water.

*Kristin*

When do you worry about removing phosphate?

Never. Unless you are removing P thru water changes. Never use Phoshate removing pellets or filter pads.

To answer you topic. When do you need to worry about phosphate ? When it it's zero.

If you are not supplementing KH2PO4 then the phosphate is coming from elsewhere. More then likely over feeding. So now you know how to control it.

50% weekly water changes will keep it in check.

That's not beard algae. That's brown diatoms. Nothing to do with phosphates. High silicates is usually the cause there.Silicates are usuually released into the water from the gravel or could be from tap water high in silicates. What substrate are you using? Is it new ?

Usually this stuff burns out after a while as the silicate level in tank drops. Regular water changes will speed up this process. In the meantime keep removing manually it comes off surfaces real easy. A few Ottos will go to town on that stuff.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Here is PO4 to >5ppm in a control tank. Great pearling, but notice the GW. Took weeks to resolve it, even after lowering levels via water changes. I normally dose to 3ppm PO4 via EI under high light, with no issues. I always induce pearling when dosing PO4, btw.

Little closer

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http://justanothertank.com

Thanks bensaf.
My substrate is about 1/4 Flourite and 3/4 regular gravel. It is not new. The tank has been set up for about 6 months or so and that gravel/flourite mixture has been the substrate the entire time.

The algae stuff started a couple months ago...after I had the plants in there for a while.

I have 3 ottos, but they don't seem to get the stringy stuff.

I do about 30% water changes once a week, so I'll up that to 50%.

czcz: Your links say forbidden.

I got home a little late tonight, so I'll have to measure the PO4 in the tap tommorrow. I will post the number then.

*Kristin*

GirlieGirl8519, sorry, try the new links if interested.

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http://justanothertank.com

czcz: I checked it out. Very green water. But nice pearling.

I checked my tap water: only 0.1ppm of phosphate...so it must be the overfeeding. I am going to do all the cleaning, water change, and gravel vac'ing today and check it again. I will try to cut down on the amount I feed and see what happens.

Thanks everyone for answering my questions.

*Kristin*