Phosphorus

[Rlon35]

A guy at the pet store told me that I could get rid of the algea through buying these media bags, to put into my filter, that get rid of phosphorus. Can I put these bags in an overhanging filter (i.e. in the back before it goes through the carbon media) omstead of opening up my canister? Is it really a good idea to mess with the water chemistry when it comes to something like this? How will this, or won't this, affect my plants?

 

[shortymet55]

I imagine it would take out your plants too, but i dont know for sure

 

[Colin_T]

phosphate removers can be added to any filter just like carbon. So yeas you can just put it in the overhanging filter before the carbon.

If you have a heavily planted tank and do regular water changes you shouldn't have a phosphate reading. Any small amounts that do appear from the fish food should be used by the plants to grow.

Phosphate removers are normally used in marine coral tanks that don't get regular water changes.

 

[Dave Spencer]

If you have a heavily planted tank and do regular water changes you shouldn't have a phosphate reading.

How come?

Dave.

 

[Wolfenrook]

In a heavily planted tank you would actually WANT a phosphate reading. lol. Plants need phosphate as one of the macro nutrients in order to grow and thrive. Heck I use Tropica Plant Nutrition + to actually increase phosphates and nitrates in my planted aquarium as growth is driven by over 4 watts per gallon of lighting and pressurised CO2. If I didn't have enough phosphate for the plants I would have an algae farm!

As to removing phosphate in a planted freshwater aquarium to reduce algae, don't do it! Odds are it will have the opposite effect. If you have an algae problem then look at factors that might be contributing towards this, such as inadequate CO2, poor water circulation, not ENOUGH nutrients or too long a lighting period (8-10 hours is best for planted tanks).

Hope this helps.

Ade