Best Ways To Reduce Phosphate Levels

[Number 1 Jasper]

Any Ideas please on how to reduce Phosphate levels apart from water changes ?

I have an explosion of black algae , bought my self a red sea phosphate test kit & it is way to high ( well above o.5 according to the colour chart )

Any advice appreciated

 

[andywg]

Assuming your tank is FW: first off check your tap water, if the tapwater is significantly lower then use that for water changes. If the tap water is high in phosphates then consider using Reverse Osmosis water to reduce the levels of phosphate going into the tank through water changes.

Another option is to grow fast growing plants to take up the phosphate quicker than the algae, though this can be a lot more complicated than it sounds. Check out the plant forum for ideas on using plants to outcompete algae for nutrients.

finally, you can always use a chemical absorant, such as Rowa-Phos, to absorb the phosphate.

 

[Number 1 Jasper]

Assuming your tank is FW: first off check your tap water, if the tapwater is significantly lower then use that for water changes. If the tap water is high in phosphates then consider using Reverse Osmosis water to reduce the levels of phosphate going into the tank through water changes.

Another option is to grow fast growing plants to take up the phosphate quicker than the algae, though this can be a lot more complicated than it sounds. Check out the plant forum for ideas on using plants to outcompete algae for nutrients.

finally, you can always use a chemical absorant, such as Rowa-Phos, to absorb the phosphate.

Thanks , any ideas where i can get this rowa-phos ? just thought you could perhaps recommend somewhere , or i can use a search Engine

 

[andywg]

I bought my Rowa-phos from my lfs. If the lfs doesn't stock/it costs too much try online and/or ebay.

 

[Number 1 Jasper]

I bought my Rowa-phos from my lfs. If the lfs doesn't stock/it costs too much try online and/or ebay.

did you find it effective ?

 

[andywg]

I never really used it in FW, I am now using it in my reef and have noticed a drop in algal levels. Rowa-phos is considered one of the best chemical absorbents there is.

 

[l337dave]

I never really used it in FW, I am now using it in my reef and have noticed a drop in algal levels. Rowa-phos is considered one of the best chemical absorbents there is.

+1 for rowa-phos.

I thought I'd try the sera stuff because someone gave it me and within a week algea started to build up. (this is SW btw...) I'd never use anything except rowa again.


dave.