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[djm123]

I have a 46 gallon tank, about a year ago, the tank went down due to a severe phosphate problem. I drained about 1/4 of the water. I have tried to start it back up with tap water....Upon testing water the PHOSPHATES are still there., are there any QUICK fix products? How about the one below? I hope I would not have to drain the whole tank....I need input on how to resolve this., thanks much!


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Input on this product?

http/www.petstore.com/ps_ViewItem-Search...dor--tab-4.html

 

[rdd1952]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Is this in a freshwater or marine tank? The link shows the product being in the Saltwater Aquarium supplies but it also looks like the bottle says it works in freshwater and you mentioned using tap water but you could have added salt to it.

 

[andywg]

I have only really heard of phosphates being a problem in FW tanks with regards to nuisance algae in high light tanks.

In SW phosphates are only an issue to coral growth.

If you have the former I would look elsewhere for the root of any problems. If the latter, you have just found out why so many reefers use RO water.

 

[rdd1952]

It is a FW tank. I forgot to edit my reply after receiving a PM from djm.

 

[confusion]

I am a little unclear - are the phosphates appearing in your tap water, too, or you just have phosphates in your aquarium?

Assuming it's the aquarium you're talking about, there are some products like phosban (I think) that claim to take care of them, but I don't trust chemicals like that. I would recommend water changes as a fish for phosphates. If your tapwater has them too, you may have to resort to the chemical attack OR you could get an RO filter.

 

[andywg]

the level at which phosphates will cause problems for fish is going to be fairly huge. The only times they are problems (as noted above) are when keeping plants and trying to get a perfect PNK ratio (though my knowledge of the problems associated therewith is low) or when growing corals in a SW tank.

Just what exactly are the phosphate levels? The quickest solution will be D+D Rowaphos, but such additives are pretty much superfluous in a FW set up.

 

[Chrispixx]

Input on this product?
[URL="http/www.petstore.com/ps_ViewItem-Search...dor--tab-4.html"]http/www.petstore.com/ps_ViewItem-Search...dor--tab-4.html[/URL]

I have no experience with it, but the reviews sound great.