bruiser

Hey wondering if anyone can recommend a good phosphate test? I use a an API Freshwater masters kit. I'm starting to get some brown algae on my fake plants. Nitrates are stable.. From what I've read phosphates play a big role as well so I'd like to look into that.

Thanks.

harpua2002

Your tank sounds new from your aquarium info. Diatoms are common in new tanks and should go away on their own eventually. If you want a phosphate test anyway, API makes one that you can buy separately from a kit.

bruiser

Yeah it is fairly new.. Been cycled for a couple months. This is just the first of noticed it. I'll give it some time before I take any action..

But just so I know, is this something that will get worse before it gets better?

Thanks.

Llama

I got a Tetra Phosphate test kit. its expensive over here.. almost 5 times as much as the ones I usually buy, but its pretty easy to use I guess.

Otherwise, diatoms will disappear on their own after a while, so nothing to worry about.

Shawnie

you will get them off an on for up to a year....even after if you ever have a mini cycle..they dont hurt anything..except your eyes from looking at it but some think its more of a natural look as well ..they dont bother me and I still have some in my african tank thats been up over a year....if you have space, bristle nose plecs or ottos love them...

bruiser

Okay thanks everyone!

And I do have BN pleco in there already.. he just hasn't found it yet I guess.

Shawnie

does he/she have a nice round fat tummy?

bruiser

No not really..He's pretty small.. kinda hard to tell, but I would say no.. He's always suckin on somethin.. just never food that I give him or the newly discovered brown on my plants..

Shawnie

if you have allot of diatoms, id back off on his food to 2-3 times a week.otherwise he wont do his job lol
its like you choosing between a nice new york sirloin or a salad ( if you eat meat that is LOL)

bruiser

Haha, yeah thats true.. well I'll leave him to his work for another day or two and see what happens..

Shawnie

good luck
most plecos dont need substitute foods but a few times a week ..more so when they are adults as they dont do the algae duty as well the more mature they get....I just love the bn's!

Furallicah

Is your tank in the sun or near a window, that can make alge grow too.

bruiser

Yes it is, From about 8:30am to 3:30-4:00pm (this time of year) It get a lot of natural light. I've considered that as well.. My initial concern that was the algae was brown.. then I researched and learned it was diatom.. researched some more and found out nitrate and phosphate can cause it.. Then all of these fine folks filled me in that its probably just the tank doing its own thing..

The amount of sun the tank see's in a day, I expected to need a fleet of BN pleco's. But until now, I was wrong.. its just starting on the tops of my plants..

Furallicah

Ah, ok