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[APD] Re: Aquatic-Plants Digest, Vol 24, Issue 10



>I have a Hagen test kit which says under 1 ppm is ok (as far as I can 
>recall) and the test measurement should be taken after 2 minutes of 
>reaction and it has a high level of 5ppm.

Generally PO4 and NO3 test kits are not the most accurate.
Test them against a known standard solution.
If you do not want to do that, then do not trust the test kit.
 
It's that simple.

>I'm getting a high reading of Phosphate in my water. When I test my 
>water I get more than 5ppm in just 30 seconds which to me indicates a 
>problem.

Well, that does not imply a problem.
Do a few 50% water changes to reduce the PO4 to about 1-2ppm.

>My fish tank is suffering from algae which sticks on the glass and also 
>makes the water a slight green / yellow colour.

That has nothing to do with the PO4 level.
Try CO2, NO3, K+, traces........what are they?

>My question is simple but I can't find many alternatives, how do I 
>reduce the phosphate?

My answer is simple: do a 50% water change, now you have 2.5ppm ...if... you believe your test kit. Do another each week and the max possible should be 1ppm unless you dose PO4.

>I've got lots of live plants, I've tried underfeeding my fish for a 
>week, 
 
That will not do anything in respect to this.
 
>I've tried replacing water very regularly (more than 90% for a 
>couple of weeks/water changes) - my tap water by the way has 0.5ppm 
>Phosphate after a reaction time of 2 minutes.

Unless you have gobblins adding PO4, then the test kit is wrong.
How can you change 90% of the water with 0.5ppm tap, then still have high PO4?
 
The substrate is what material?
That would be your only source.
 
>_Are there any alternatives? _

Sure do regular water changes(50% weekly) add ferts and good CO2.
What size of tank is it?
GH and KH?
 
Regards, 
Tom Barr

=Nick

		
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