Adding Potassium Phosphate

[leafs]

Is it necessary to add phosphates if tap water already has some? I'm contemplating on buying a test kit, but I'm not sure how important it is. What happens when you have too much phosphate?

Thanks

 

[George Farmer]

You'll only need to add extra phosphate (PO4) via Potassium phosphate (KH2PO4) if your plant growth is sufficient enough to justify it. Most high growth tanks i.e. ones with plenty of light, CO2 and planting density will require PO4 additions, even with high tap PO4 levels. The water I add to my tank in a water change is approx 2.5ppm PO4 and I still dose KH2PO4.

Test your tap water, then test your tank water. If your tank water is very low i.e. <0.25ppm then adding KH2PO4 may be necessary.

 

[leafs]

You'll only need to add extra phosphate (PO4) via Potassium phosphate (KH2PO4) if your plant growth is sufficient enough to justify it. Most high growth tanks i.e. ones with plenty of light, CO2 and planting density will require PO4 additions, even with high tap PO4 levels. The water I add to my tank in a water change is approx 2.5ppm PO4 and I still dose KH2PO4.

Test your tap water, then test your tank water. If your tank water is very low i.e. <0.25ppm then adding KH2PO4 may be necessary.

Thanks gf225. I'll have to test it. I have a slight problem with green hair algae right now and was wondering if phosphates have anything to do with it. I'm adding C02 (25-30 ppm) my lighting is 2.4 watt/gal and I'm adding Potassium nitrate(nitrate was consistently around 0) and Tmg for trace elements (5ml a week). The tank has been set up for a month now with some Crypts, Water sprite, Hygrophilia polysperma and various sword plants. I can't figure it out?