So, so frustrated!

Ok, did all the tests I own last night... three things stood out to me, while everything else seemed normal:

KH is only 2.8
PO4 is off the charts
Nitrate is 5

KH and Nitrates are too low, correct? How do I bump them up safely? And PO4 is way too high... water changes to lower it? These results are most definitely the cause of my algae issue at the time, too...

Other normal results:
pH: 7.2
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
GH: 80 (slightly hard)
Fe: 0 (added ferts after tests)
CO2: 8ppm
 
Check your top water for PO4, That may be the source, and that would help explain the oddball Ph readings. Phosphate buffers are often used. IF it is your tap, Then Water changes won't help much to reduce it. The nitrates are in great shape, the Kh is borderline on low, but coincides quite well with your reported tank Ph. A small amount of Crushed coral in the filter will counteract Kh consumption fairly well and continued routine maintenance will keep things stable. 2.8 isn't really a bad situation, I'd test a few hours after a water change and then test right before the next water change. if you do not see a significant drop from one water change to another, then I wouldn't spend much time worrying about changing things unless you skip a lot of maintenance.

There are Po4 remiving resins made which can be added to your filter. I am not very familiar with them or how they work, but do know that the do work. Plants will of course eat up the PO$, but if the levels are high then nothing but a high light High Co2 set-up is going to make a huge difference from water change to water change.
Dave
 
The phosphates are high in the tank, but barely register in the tap water. However, on the 15th, I got some ferts for my plants (I hadn't fertilized before) and I added a dose of Flourish Phosphorus. Could this have caused my PO4 to go through the roof? I only added a tiny dose (with the eye dropper that comes with it).
I think I'll do a water change tonight using the Prime instead of my old conditioner and see how it goes. The water is looking cloudy today...
 
My 10G eats corys for breakfast. :(
Most mentioned I'm overstocked, but I don't think that's your problem.
I have very bad luck trying to keep pandas; planetcatfish mentions pandas can be hard to keep, and they like colder temps - I can barely keep mine at 80F to 82F.
I lose peppers once in a while with no warning.
I just got in a PO4 test kit, and it was off the charts (5.0+ ppm) about a week ago - I figured because I missed a gravel cleaning / water change the previous week. :(
I'm going to try and switch to a twice weekly water change schedule instead of my current weekly schedule to see if this helps.

How long have you had your julii?
I think your julii was one of those species that secrete toxins when stressed?
Try check out http://www.planetcatfish.com/ (they are currently down right now) for more info.
I've been looking for corys that can handle a little more higher temps, and sterbai's look to be a good candidate; the sterbai's are one of those notorious for secreting toxins when stressed so I gotta be careful on transport.
 
I don't think that they secrete toxins (couldn't find it anywhere), but after looking at the website you gave me, I found that they aren't Julii cories after all. According to the site, Julii's are rare and these are indeed Corydoras Trilineatus (three-lined cories). After looking at the pics, I realize that it's indeed true! So, thanks on helping in that way!!!
They also like cooler water, so maybe my hot weather has been doing it... I'll keep investigating!
 
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