Phosphates

[djm123]

IS there any Guarenteed way to get rid of them in a 46 gallon where I ONLY have access to TAP water??? Looking for a quick fix on this...

 

[WILDER]

Be better of posting this thead in tropical chat.
Welcome to the board.

 

[rdd1952]

Rarely are phosphates ever a problem. I would venture to guess that most members here don't even know what the phosphate reading in their tank is. I certainly don't. What is your actual reading and what problem do you think it is causing?

 

[BigC]

My guess is that your experiencing algal problems, to which Phosphate is a contributor. If your using Tap Water then I'm afraid your fighting a losing battle. All the phosphate removers in the world (they will lower the concentration yes) will not cure the problem. Much better to use RO water. (but you will have to adjust it first before adding to your system) you can buy a small kit and bits and bobs from
<a href="http/www.ro-man.com/shop/index.php/cPath/22_95" target="_blank">http/www.ro-man.com/shop/index.php/cPath/22_95</a>
Then you can just use Rowaphos or Ultiphos in your filter box to keep the levels down. Small testing kits are useless so a kit such as
<a href="http/www.theaquariumsolution.com/?q=node/132" target="_blank">http/www.theaquariumsolution.com/?q=node/132</a>
needs to be employed for better detection.
Low stocking, attention to feeding and good filter managment will also help your battle.
I hope this was of some help
Regards
BigC

 

[angelfish1961]

Hi smmetz!!i want to thank you for all the info.i couldn't had better instructions than what you've help me with.Ive had this aquarium for almost a year without to much problems.Until this episode that drives me nuts!! should i reduce or raise my ph in the tank with the kit i have?Its a wardley ph test kit.And one more thing,you did not insult me at all,i am clueless with alot of things i read about aquariums from lots of people !!i just hope i can get this right with all your knowleg,. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!! LINDA

 

[angelfish1961]

Rarely are phosphates ever a problem. I would venture to guess that most members here don't even know what the phosphate reading in their tank is. I certainly don't. What is your actual reading and what problem do you think it is causing?

HI ,I DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHY THIS TANK IS TURNING GREEN! I KEEP MY TANK AWAY FROM TO MUCH LIGHT AND OVER FEEDING. MY READING OF PH IS AROUND 7.4. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH PH TO REDUCE OR RAISE IT. I`LL APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP I CAN GET. ONE REPLY IVE RECEIVED IS SOMETHING I WILL LOOK AT SERIOUSLY BUT IF YOU HAVE MORE IDEAS PLEASE REPLY TO HELP ME OUT,.THANKS ALOT,LINDA

 

[angelfish1961]

My guess is that your experiencing algal problems, to which Phosphate is a contributor. If your using Tap Water then I'm afraid your fighting a losing battle. All the phosphate removers in the world (they will lower the concentration yes) will not cure the problem. Much better to use RO water. (but you will have to adjust it first before adding to your system) you can buy a small kit and bits and bobs from
<a href="http/www.ro-man.com/shop/index.php/cPath/22_95" target="_blank">http/www.ro-man.com/shop/index.php/cPath/22_95</a>
Then you can just use Rowaphos or Ultiphos in your filter box to keep the levels down. Small testing kits are useless so a kit such as
<a href="http/www.theaquariumsolution.com/?q=node/132" target="_blank">http/www.theaquariumsolution.com/?q=node/132</a>
needs to be employed for better detection.
Low stocking, attention to feeding and good filter managment will also help your battle.
I hope this was of some help
Regards
BigC

HI ,THANKS FOR YOUR INFO.IM LOOKING UP THE LINKS YOU'VE ADDED .I ALWAYS USED TAP WATER BUT I ALSO ADD THE CONDITIONER .EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FINE WITH MY TANK SINCE IVE HAD IT FOR A YEAR NOW WITHOUT THIS KIND OF PROBLEM.THANKS FOR HELPING ME OUT ,ILL KEEP ON TRYING.LINDA

 

[angelfish1961]

Be better of posting this thead in tropical chat.
Welcome to the board.

I`LL TRY THAT OUT ,THANKS ALOT!!!

 

[rdd1952]

Green water is pretty common in new tanks. It is caused by free floating algae called diatoms. It will usually clear itself over time and isn't a problem for the fish health wise. Water changes usually do little to clear it. Is the tank ever exposed to direct sunlight? The one solution that generally works very quickly is to dd a UV Sterilizer to the tank. They aren't cheap though as even the least expensive ones will generally run close to $100. You would need a powerhead (water pump) to run it off of. Here is an old thread that I did showing how well one worked on one of my tanks.