Help With Phosphate

[Silverado]

I am developing a phosphate problem, Nitrate, Nitrites, and ammonia are at 0. Phosphates are a 1 ppm.

I am developing a red alge on the glass, I fiqure it is from the phosphates.

Only change in the tank s the addition of 3 turbo snails.

Any ideas how I can reduce the phosphate levels.

Thank you in advance.

Frank

[bertoni]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2002/chem.htm

That article discusses the issue in detail. 1 ppm is an enormous amount of phosphate. Double-checking the test kit might be useful.

Is the tank being filled with tap water? Overfeeding is another common source of phosphate. Growing and harvesting a macroalga can help a lot, and using a GFO like PhosBan, RowaPhos, or Phosphate Killer is common, as well.

[Silverado]

I am filling with RO/DI water. I have done the test quite a few times. I am going to buy a new test tomorrow.

[BillyJoeJimBob]

A good place to start might be location the reason how they are getting into the tank in the first place. Will your LFS test for phosphates? Maybe you have a bum kit.

[Silverado]

I just tested my RO/DI water and it is showing about 5 ppm phosphate.

Is it possible that I am putting the phosphates in the tank from the RO/DI water.

[Tremolo]

how old are your filters in the ro/di system...if you are getting 5ppm right out of the unit you probably need to replace the filters.

[Silverado]

Filters are about 3 months old. With the evaporation in the tank that I have, I add about 2 gallons of water per day. They are used quite a bit.

PS: I also updated my signature.

[danch]

5ppm out of the RO/DI is enormous! Was that straight out of the filter, or out of your storage container? If the latter, maybe the container is leaching the phosphates?

[Silverado]

That is straight out of the Di unit

Bought the unit from PurelyH2O, Its the optima chloramine unit with a booster pump 8800

[zisbell]

Red Algae..........Its probably cyano bacteria. Massive water change, reduce photo-period, and cut feedings to 1/3 or 1/4.

[owenb01]

You need to address the source of the problem, but in the meantime poly-filter is a fantastic way to get rid of the phosphates and any other reason you are getting algae.

[bertoni]

I don't yet trust that phosphate test kit. A TDS meter might be useful in testing your RO-DI unit. 5 ppm out of an RO-DI unit is horrible, if true. Once that issue is resolved, the tank might be in better shape.

I don't think a polyfilter can absorb that much phosphate. I'd try some Phosphate Killer or PhosBan.

[Silverado]

where can I get some Phosphate killer

[bertoni]

I bought mine from MarineDepot.com, but there are probably lots of other vendors.