phosphate question

[debaric]

Fighting minor algae outbreak.

Phosphate is exactly .25 ppm on the API phosphate test

Tomorrow is my Macros day, should I leave out the phosphate tomorrow since there is a trace amount in my water?

(btw Nitrate is ok, 10 ppm)

 

[Riiz]

No, you might be actually seeing algae from low phosphates levels, phosphate's recommend levels in a planted tank should be 1-2 ppm or 10% of nitrates.

 

[jpappy789]

:iagree:

Low phosphates limits plant grow as well, which enables algae to take over.

 

[msghael]

I have a Red Sea Phos test kit. It reads 0.1 ppm all the time - even with the solution I dose with !!! But I find I ahve algae probs when ever I dose even as low as 0.5 ppm x 3 x a week. Suppose I get enough from the fish food and waste. Suggest leave it out and watch
Maninder

 

[jpappy789]

Exactly what type of algae are you dealing with? That would also make a difference.

 

[debaric]

hmm.. i may just add a tad, be conservative with my feeding and then test a few hours after.

Thanks all for replying

 

[debaric]

im dealing with diatoms (tanks been set up about 3 weeks), some green hair algae on the leaves, and very very minor spot algae on glass

 

[jpappy789]

Whats the tank size, stock, lighting, Co2, fert dosing schedule?

 

[Riiz]

im dealing with diatoms (tanks been set up about 3 weeks), some green hair algae on the leaves, and very very minor spot algae on glass

Diatoms are usually present in new glass aquaria or sand setups, they will usually disappear on their own after awhile, and Otos and shrimp will eat it.

Green spot is usually a sign of low phoshates.

 

[debaric]

My stats:

29 gallon, 30 ppm pressure co2, 12 rummies-1 angel-2 black skirt, 3.1 wpg, NPK- 3X week, traces 2X week, iron 3X week (flourish products), 50% WC once per week.

ph- 6.4
nitrate- 10 ppm
phos- 0.25
kh- 4
gh- 6

Plants= large java fern mother plant, red ludwigia, teardrop rotala, flame moss, moss ball, HC, anubias coffee, crypt lutea, mini pellia, sunset hygro, amannia gracilis, lymphofilia aromatica, blyxa j

It seem like a lot of plants but they are small, id like to add a few more fast growers to maybe beat out the algae.

NOTE: i have dry ferts coming in the mail- gonna use them instead once they arrive