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View Full Version : Time for a phosphate sponge again


Lady Hobbs
03-31-2008, 02:22 AM
I hate algae!
smaug
03-31-2008, 02:25 AM
More plants Hobbs!Pack it full,make it look like a salad bar.:14:
Lady Hobbs
03-31-2008, 02:28 AM
Tank is full. I just have too much phosphates in my water all the time. Last time I used the sponge, my phosphates went from 2. - .50 overnight.
smaug
03-31-2008, 02:31 AM
I had phos really bad when I started my 58gal a while back.I was using a ph down product that was phosphoric based.I had no idea,it took a month to make it go away.I used pura phoslock mixed in with seachem renew in my canister filter.What type do you use?
ILuvMyGoldBarb
03-31-2008, 02:37 AM
You don't happen to run CO2 do you?
smaug
03-31-2008, 02:38 AM
You don't happen to run CO2 do you?Me? or Hobbs?
ILuvMyGoldBarb
03-31-2008, 02:40 AM
Sorry, I was asking Hobbs. I know you don't run it smaug LOL
Lady Hobbs
03-31-2008, 02:40 AM
If me, I got rid of the CO2 just today. Seems to make it even worse. I only have 130 watt on a 55 so prolly don't need it anyway.
smaug
03-31-2008, 02:42 AM
Sorry, I was asking Hobbs. I know you don't run it smaug LOL
sorry,I was just being vain again!
ILuvMyGoldBarb
03-31-2008, 02:42 AM
The only algae that CO2 will make worse is BGA which isn't an algae at all. I assume your algae is Black Beard Algae?
Lady Hobbs
03-31-2008, 02:45 AM
Mostly it's that damned brown algae but now and then I see a small amount of black on the ends of the leaves start. I just cut the leaves off when I see it.
ILuvMyGoldBarb
03-31-2008, 02:51 AM
Diatoms??? Excess phosphate won't cause diatoms.
cocoa_pleco
03-31-2008, 02:52 AM
yeah, diatoms are from too little light or lack of water changes. when i had 2 50/50 30w fixtures on my 90g i got brown algae, then i took off those lights and put on a 108w T-5 and it all went away
Lady Hobbs
03-31-2008, 02:55 AM
Cure: Wipe off surfaces & vacuum gravel well
Use silicate adsorbing resin in the filter
Increase the lighting
Stock a plecostomus or several otocinclus

Here's one thing said about brown algae and the cause being excess silicates.
ILuvMyGoldBarb
03-31-2008, 03:02 AM
Any idea where the slilcates are coming from? Otos are the only FW fish I know of that will eat Diatoms
Lady Hobbs
03-31-2008, 03:04 AM
Right out of the tap at 2.
ILuvMyGoldBarb
03-31-2008, 03:25 AM
Yikes. Ever thought about a low end RO unit?
Lady Hobbs
03-31-2008, 03:58 AM
Yup. All the time. But living in an apartment, I don't know if I'm allowed to add one. Or even if there's enough room under my kitchen sink.