Phosphate?

Bruce7

Bruce7

AC Members
Sep 12, 2007
17
0
0
Reynoldsburg Ohio
I have a problem that I hope you all can help me solve. You have probably heard this one before.
I have had a planted 46 bowfront set up for about 4 months. I made it thru the cycling phase without losing a fish:D . In the past couple of weeks I have began to turn my attention towards my plants (they haven't been doing so well). Anyway I bought a Phosphate test kit and found a reading of +10.
So my question is... Is over feeding or dead plant material the only thing that can cause this high of a phosphate reading? Or can for instance an ornamental rock or something else cause it. I put Fluval Lab series Phosphate remover in my filter a couple of days ago in an ammount twice that was recommended and still the reading is +10. today.
Any and all input is appreciated.

Thanks

Bruce
 
First, what kind of Phosphate test did you use? Are you using other ferts? And what is your nitrate level? Any other information, such as lighting, types of plants, etc. would be useful as well.
 
I am using an API test kit. all other readings are within limits. Amonia 0 Nitrate 10 Nitrite 0 alkalinity 120 gh 120 ph 7.1 I am using a 95 watt light timed to 11 hours a day and as far as the plants go I'm not sure about all of them. I know I have a few swords. the rest you might be able to tell what they are from my avatar. Oh and iI am usinf Folurish and excel. and excel Iron. that's about it. In addition to the very high Phosphate level the plants are all developing this fuzz all over the leaves
 
Have you tested your tap water? 10 is a lot of phosphates. You are doing weekly water changes? I have to ask.
 
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I have tested my tap water and it the phosphate content is low.
I thought it might be some additives I put in the water like ph down or Tank Soft but I went to both of their web sites and they say their products do not add to the phosphate lvl.
I change 20% of my water every week but starting this week I'm changing 10% every day until I see that reading move down
 
Have you tried testing the water with all of your additives before it goes into the tank? You say their web sites claim they don't add to phosphates, and they might not. But I'd check for myself to make sure.
 
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