testing results

[FishFreaks]

We tested our levels today and phosphates are 10! isnt this bad? Our GH is 12 and out KH is 6, so that means our co2 levels are 11.2 correct? this means were going to have to add co2? any help is greatly appreciated

 

[Jen]

you test the co2 by kh and ph... you don't need the gh reading

 

[danski]

test your kh and ph levels and enter the info here http/www.aquarix.com/en/co2calc.asp
thats what i use.found it here somewhere from the nice folks .works for me.

 

[iggy01]

Regarding your phosphate question, 10 mg/l is too high and at those levels can interfere with your KH reading.

What is the phosphate level from your tap water?

 

[FishFreaks]

well i tested the tap water and it came out .5ppm, retested the tank and it came our darker than the 10. ppm mark again. how do we reduce the level of phosphates, water changes? is this high phosphates bad for algae, bad for the plants, or both? i also retested for: kh is 6, ph is 7.0 so our co2 levels are 17.7? is this ok for temple narrow leaf and micro sword? Thanks in advance.

 

[iggy01]

You will be able to reduce your phosphate level by doing water changes as you suggested.

If you are not adding CO2 already, then you have either a false ph, or false KH reading. A tank that doesn't have CO2 added will normally have a CO2 level of around 2-3 mg/l.

Do you use a pH buffer at all?

How long has the tank been established? Do you use Eco Complete as a substrate?

 

[FishFreaks]

no we do not use a ph buffer, it has been established about 10 months now, and yes we do use eco complete.

 

[iggy01]

Hi Fishfreaks,

Several months ago there were many threads on other forums about a bad batch of Eco Complete. Apparently it was causing phosphate to go off the scale and also messing with the GH and KH of the tank water. The contaminated bags of Eco Complete allegedly contained a white milky substance. Does this sound familiar? Or has your phosphate problem only just occurred?

If you think this may be the problem, it could be worth doing a Google for something like " Eco Complete" + high phosphate". This should bring up plenty of info on the subject.

Before anyone gets the wrong idea, I am not knocking Eco Complete. It was just a bad batch, that's all.

Meantime, I think frequent water changes are your friend.

Good luck!

 

[FishFreaks]

yes, i heard about that. i posted around forums pics, and people didnt think it was a bad batch. it was a bit milky white, but i thought that was normal? this is the first time we have tested for our phosphates, if i test another tank, and they are low, would this tell us it is the substrate? just an idea.

 

[iggy01]

if i test another tank, and they are low, would this tell us it is the substrate? just an idea.

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Possibly, but not definitely, unless the tanks were identical in every other way. They would have to have the same fish load, rocks, ornaments, water change frequency and volume etc.

You may be better putting some into a cup filled with tap water and leave it overnight. You would probably see a rise in phosphate levels if the Eco Complete was to blame.

Good luck!

 

[FishFreaks]

ok so i should s little of the eco complete into a cup and leave that sit overnight?

 

[iggy01]

ok so i should s little of the eco complete into a cup and leave that sit overnight?

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I'd say it was worth a try.