mostlycichlids
10-05-2006, 12:21 PM
I posted this had some other questions.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=664554#post664554
I have not gotten many responses on this thread so I thought I would post again.
Should I buy a test kit first? If its not high phosphates what can I do to controll it besides what I am doing now. I have reduced the light I do 50% weekly water changes etc. I have some algae build up on my power filters do you think cleaning the algae off of and out of them will help?
CaptnDan
10-05-2006, 12:50 PM
Without a clear picture of the parameters you are dealing with, it's pretty near impossible for anyone to make more than an educated guess as to what might be happening.
This would include Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, KH and GH, and since phosphate is suspected, the levels there too. Also check your tap water, it could be a source of phosphates and/or nitrate and nitrite.
Also, size of tank, what fish are in there, how long has it been set up, what is your water change regimen like? Do you treat the water when you change it? What do you use? Are there any other additives that you have used?
With more of these questions answered, I think you will get more responses and suggestions. Nobody really wants to make a wild guess based on insufficient information and steer you in the wrong direction.
mostlycichlids
10-05-2006, 12:59 PM
Ok The 10 gallon is a grow out tank been set up for about a year and a half I have 3 black phantom tetra 2 cory cats they are all about 1/2 inch.
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate kept at >20
I do 50% water changes weekly
I use prime for all of my water changes.
also My tap water has some Nitrates >5ppm barely noticable amounts
The other tank is a 20 gallon with 2 Fancy goldfish same maintance and parameters. Both tanks recieve no direct or in direct sunlight and I have them on timers 11:30 am -8:00 pm daily. I do not have a phosphate test kit so not sure of the results of that.
I also have 2 55gallon tanks a 120 gallon and a 5 gallon and the other tanks have no algae problems except for when they were newer I had some diatom algae but that is it.