Removing phosphate

[redracer77]

Hi,

I have phosphate levels that keep creeping up, i have been using JBL phosex and this works well but is quite expensive.

Its in a 300 litre tank with a canister and internal filter.

Has anyone tried using aluminium oxide (thats used as an abrasive) to absorb it? its available in different grades and a lot cheaper, or should I be looking for the source of the problem?

Thanks

[Bilbo]

I attempted to show a phostphate filter at our DIY meeting a week or so ago.

Its a really simple filter made from a bucket and a length of pipe and an icecream container lid. Works very well and is only a 1/2 hour build. Similar plans can be found here http://www.aquariumslife.com/saltwater- ... er-screen/

Its a matter of making it easy for phosphates and nitrates to cause the same problems but in a controlled place so easy to manage.

[redracer77]

Thanks Bilbo,

I'm not sure if that solution is for me, although I like the idea of not adding chemicals,

I was after a simply solution, but will keep it in mind when I make a sump to incorporate it then.

[Caryl]

So what makes the phosphate levels rise in an aquarium?

Our tap water has high phosphate levels to start with :-?

[phoenix44]

so why do you want to remove the phosphate from the freshwater aquarium?

did you have a lot of algae in the tank?

[redracer77]

Yes, I have had algae blooms before and now getting more algae growth.

From what I understand phosphate is in most foods, so I have already changed foods to have less going in, but also in the fish waste, due to it being in the food.

[phoenix44]

ok. so you can try planting your tank if you have good lighting. that makes the tank look good too. Indian fern is an attractive plant that absorbs nutrient through the roots, as do some others.

failing which get some phoszorb - remember to activate it. you have to fill water in the container it comes in and close the lid with the pouch in it, for about 10 minutes. it is an exothermic reaction so the container will become quite hot.

then you take the pouch out, remove the excess debris and put it in your filter.

if you are 100% sure that its the phosphate that is causing the algae bloom this is one way to fix the problem. I prefer the plant method. phosphates in my tank were about 50-80ppm and i did not have a shred of algae.

if the problem is caused because of another nutrient imbalance, then bio chem-zorb may help. I personally don't use either as I have not needed it.

[redracer77]

The tank is planted, but still getting algae.

I have used phoszorb but it's quite pricey and I think it's just aluminium oxide.

As far as something else wrong the tank doens't have the problem when the phoshate has been removed.

thanks

[suphew]

Your correct it is Aluminium oxide, the reddish type you can also get is iron oxide. But before spending more money or building anything, have you tested your tap water? If it's not too high why not just increase your water changes. This will also dilute any other compounds that might also be attributing to your algae like nitrates.

ok. so you can try planting your tank if you have good lighting. that makes the tank look good too. Indian fern is an attractive plant that absorbs nutrient through the roots, as do some others.

Almost all plants use their roots as their primary nutrient gathering source. The advantage of Indian fern is that it grows happily with it's roots in the water column rather than needing to be in the substrate. It is also very fast growing and easy to propagate so you can harvest it regularly and actually export the phosphate etc from the tank rather than just binding it in the plant.

[alanmin4304]

Many of the overseas sites say that algae blooms are caused by an imbalance of phosphate and nitrate and suggest adding nitrate to correct the balance. Haven't tried it but may be cheap fertilizer. I would tend to do water changes to remove it. Some foods contain a lot of phosphate and it may be caused by the food you are using.

[redracer77]

I have just tested the tap water and its approx 2ppm so there is definitely some there, althought the tank was above 10ppm. I tested my other smaller tank which is also planted and has a indian fern in it and that is approx 5ppm with only a small amount of algae.

I also tested the nitrate and that doesn't register with API test kit.

I change about 20-25% water each week, I will try to find more info on the food I'm using ( mainly JBL).

How many Indian fern would I need to absorb the phosphate I have?

I also use JBL clay balls under the plants, but these say they won't release phosphate. Do they?

Thanks for they replies.