Phosphate ?

ski1297 · 03-31-2005, 01:27 PM

What is the best way to lower your Phosphate. My Phosphate test kits should be to my house any day now. I have never tested my Phosphate before. (I know I know) I have a some hair algae and some bubble algae. So I think it will be high. I have a emerald crab eats a lot of the hair and bubble algae but I think he needs help. I do not want to feed the algae or help it grow. Some of the hair algae is starting to grow on my Halimeda plant.( I can rub it off )The tank has been up for about 1 year. My pH, alkalinity, nitrite, nitrate, and Ammonia looks very good. 38 gal tank no sump. I have a SeaClone Protein Skimmer 100 ( again i know i know not the best) works very well for me. What is the best way to lower it and keep it down. How well do the sponges work. Keep cost in mind.

Thanks Ryan

mg · 03-31-2005, 01:37 PM

I have no experiences with the sponges although I hear the phosban sponges work well, just need to be replaced before they are used up or can leak phosphates back into the system. As far as the best way to keep them down, do you use RO/DI water? Test your source water and a batch of make up salt water to see if there is any there, if not dilution through water changes.

ski1297 · 03-31-2005, 01:58 PM

I do not use ro/di i want to. i am a little light on cash right now. My source water test out good. but i have never tested the Phosphate. Are there thing that could also make algae grow other than light.

reefBoyDc · 03-31-2005, 02:26 PM

Do you use tap water? If so, that is most likely the source of your problems. Tap water is full of junk that algae love.

ski1297 · 03-31-2005, 02:47 PM

i do may be time for a ro/di

FatFishFourU · 03-31-2005, 04:27 PM

i had tons of diatoms (red algae) that grow from the phosphates. i bought kent marine's phosphate sponge and it got rid of everything in less than a week. you've gotta change it every two days, but it works like a charm.

BigDaddy · 03-31-2005, 04:42 PM

you can buy rodi water at wallmart for 58c a gallon that's what i do because i'm poor

spent all my money on freakin fish.

Loverotties · 03-31-2005, 05:11 PM

How high is high?Water changes and they products like no phosphate but never used it but claims it will drop high levels to zero in 24Hr I think.

Kevin1000 · 03-31-2005, 05:34 PM

Phosphate kits are over-rated ... good for testing water before it gets into the tank but plenty of phosphate laden tanks show zip phosphate using the std test kits. Most test kits don't register organic phosphates and phosphate get consumed quickly by algae/bacteria so that they don't register.

If your using tap water .. switch to RO/Di .. if your using flake food remember than many flake food are loaded with phosphates .. consider switching to frozen. If your using frozen .. consider rinsing the frozen to remove some phosphate residual.

Hope this helps.

ski1297 · 03-31-2005, 05:40 PM

I do not know how high i just got my seachem test kit a work today will test when i get home. frozen food is the only food my fish get. I will have to try rinsing the food. I am think that i need to switch to ro/di soon. is phosphate good for plants?