Options for reducing phosphate and cloudy water

NotGumbel

NotGumbel

The Dude
Nov 5, 2004
216
0
0
Elkins, WV USA
In my 20 gallon tank, I have an ongoing problem with cloudy water, which in short order leads to algae growth. There are 2 goldfish in the tank, minimal daily feeding, lights on for maximum of 6 hrs daily, no direct sunlight, 30-40% water changes twice weekly, Penguin 330 biowheel filter.

Tonight I did a phosphate level test, after reading some threads here, and found the level to be somewhat elevated (1.0) both from the tap and in the tank itself. All other levels (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, etc) are in wonderful shape.

I realize that solutions such as Brite N Clear will work to remove cloudiness due to phosphates etc temporarily, but I'd rather eliminate the phosphates thru more natural means, treating the cause rather than the symptom alone.

Some things I've read about and considered using, to address both any algae growth plus the phosphates, include the following:

- Phosphate removal media in current filter (Renew, PolyFilter, etc)
- Magnum filter with micron cartridge (additional filtration plus occasional use of the micron to polish water)
- Moderately planted tank (use the phosphate in their growth process)
- Snails (eat algae and at least one person theorized they use the phosphate in shell growth?)

Since goldfish are messy and this is a heavy bioload, I was leaning towards the canister filtration (Magnum 350 w/biowheel) in place of the Penguin.

Any guidance, please? Including bashing any or all of the above ideas I've considered? :D

Thanks in advance,
Bryant
 
A bigger tank...

I'd go with plants. There are many fast growing floating plants that will help remove the phosphates. Another option would be to filter the water--an RO unit would remove it, and if you used a mix of the RO and tap water, you'd maintain the water chemistry. Adding more filtration to the tank will help to some degree, but with messy fish, you will have to increase your maintenance as well, and the chemical resins can be pricy to replace frequently enough to be functioning.
 
More about plants?

OrionGirl said:
I'd go with plants. There are many fast growing floating plants that will help remove the phosphates.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply and input :) The plants seem to be an easier course of action given my small apartment ... no room presently for a larger tank and no way to set up RO unit etc.

Which plants would you recommend? And do I need to add anything to the tank, in terms of aeration, additives, etc? Anything to consider for lighting, in terms of hardware, amount of light to give? I'm sure there are resources on the board, if you could just point me in the general direction.

Thanks,
Bryant
 
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Hornwort, anachris, frog bit (duckweed works wonders, but is very invasive), and water lettuce--though this last needs more light that it sounds like you have. The goldfish may eat the plants as well--so be prepared to replace them. Frogbit would probably be best--it floats on the surface, doesn't need tons of light, and is attactive. The fish probably won't eat it, either. You can harvest it easily to remove from the system completely. Another option--depending on the hood--you can danlge a variety of plants so their roots are submerged and the main portion is above the water. This works well with things like spider plants.
 
AquaClear Quick Filter?

I saw an AquaClear Quick Filter listed in my Foster & Smith aquarium catalog. The listing describes it as ideal for polishing water after maintenance, and for rapid removal of particles as small as 1 micron. It requires a powerhead (not included).

Would this be something that would function as a cheaper (lite?) version of the Vortex diatomic device? From a price standpoint it looks attractive. Though it says it can be used continually, I'd personally envision it to be used twice weekly after water changes in the 20 gallon tank, to keep down the phosphates.

Think this might be appropriate? Anyone have experience and/or recommendations?

And thanks, OrionGirl, for all your guidance so far :bowing:

Thanks in advance,
Bryant
 
Hi Bryant,
The Aquaclear Quick Filter is not going to remove your Phosphates on its own, basically its just a frame with a filter cartridge inside, it will trap fine suspended sediment but thats all :( If the Phosphates in the tank are not much more than your tapwater then there's not much you can do apart from using a phosphate remover regularly :( - you could put this in a small cheap internal power filter and run it for a few hours a week.

Its possible that the Goldfish are stirring up the substrate during their search for food and this is causing the cloudyness in the water, if so you could try cleaning the gravel with a gravel cleaner. If your other tank is crystal clear and healthy ;) you could try adding a couple of gallons of the water to your goldfish tank, strangely this worked for me when I had a persistent cloudy water problem (wine makers would understand this ;) ) and I set up a new tank this weekend, the water was clear within a few hours using this method (Mature filter on tank tho)

I had my Goldfish in a 25 gallon long filtered by a Trio 3000 (similar to Biolife 55) and the water was absolutely crystal, I ordered a bulk supply of Vallis to plant the tank and compete with the algae. Result was a beautiful tank and fish breeding regularly :)
 
Thanks much! Just the info I needed.

The 5 gal tank, which houses the betta, has the same situation with cloudiness and phosphates, but Tater is a lot less waste-producing than the goldfish, so I thought I'd ask about the big tank first.

I've gotten both tanks crystal clear in fairly short order with Brite N Clear, and as soon as the LFS gets some plants that were recommended to me, I'm going to use those as the long term solution rather than constantly dosing.

Now I can spend the $$ I'd considered using on the Quick Filter for getting some real plants plus some silks I've had my eye on :)

Bryant
 
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