Do my phosphates really need to be 1.0? It seems to always be at 0.5. I'm kind of scared of the phosphates. If they are out of wack then I know it can cause major problems. Should I shoot for 10 nitrates or 20? I can't measure potassium.
Phosphates
- Thread starter hurricanejedi
- Start date
I tried keeping mine around 0.5 ppm, but the tank is doing much better now with it around 1.0. My algae problems have even gone away now with the higher level. As long as everything is balanced you shouldn't have problems. (That is an easy statement to make, but actually figuring out the balance is not so easy--it took me months of frustration.)
I just use a test tube phosphates kit. Ok I'll add some more fleet enema to get it to 1.0.
I'm having issues with nitrates. Its either 0 or too high. This next batch I make of nitrates I need to halve my dosage.
I'm having issues with nitrates. Its either 0 or too high. This next batch I make of nitrates I need to halve my dosage.
I meant to answer this and forgot. They sell test kits for phosphate. Check out the test kits database sticky in the products and diy forum.justintoxicated said:how do you measure phosphates, I have not checked mine because I am scared of them as well
Thanks after i figure out my Nitrates I'm going to finish up with phosphates 
My Nitrates seems to vary, I usualy does one day and take the reading the next and try to keep it around 10ppm
My Nitrates seems to vary, I usualy does one day and take the reading the next and try to keep it around 10ppm
The worst algae I ever had was when my phosphates were high so be careful! Its been so long I dont remember what the other conditions were at the time though, but using a phosphate remover pillow in my filter did help the beat the algae.
Phosphates are a macronutient for plants. If you do not have enough for the vascular plants's need, you will have algae. The old myth that phosphates promote algae was shown to be false some time ago.