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Re: PO4

> 
> I'm still pretty much a newbie, but have enough knowlede to know that po4
> alone does not cause algae. Tom frequently asks how much is too much po4?
> Well here is my experience. About 8 months ago I set up a 30 long 110wtt cf,
> flourite sub, diy co2 and still dosed my ap perfect ph 7 ( before I learned
> that it was a phosphate buffer) So I tested for phosphate and it was off the
> richter scale, but I had 0 algae. I can't tell you how many 50% water changes
> it took to where I could even test for it. After I got it down to where it
> was supposed to be and quit adding the buffer, is when things went south. I
> now add about one dash twice a week( I use the spoon from my lamotte test
> kit) that brings me up to the _recomended_ range. Imagine what it was when I
> was adding 3 huge scoopfuls of this stuff- and there was no algae whatsoever
> I'm convinced it's way more than high p04 levels that cause algae

This has happened to a few folks that mix their KNO3 up with the KH2PO4
also:)
I've also seen tanks that did add lots of PO4 "buffer" and had nice algae
growing. It can work both ways.
I ask because it's a question that someone else has likely done.
Many of the natural waters have about 1.0ppm max or so. That seems like a
decent range. Adding more will not help produce more plant growth
likely(that I have found-doesn't mean it doesn't happen).
Regards, 
Tom Barr

> 
> Jeff Vamos
> Cessnabum1 at aol_com