Phosphate level is 1 ppm

[Andres391]

My phosphate level are at 1ppm and my tap water is at 0.5 ppm of phosphate would it be okay to do a water change. Also tap water has a ph of 7.5 and my fish tank water has a ph of 8 would still be okay if I was going to do a 50percent water change or should I just vacuum the gravel?

 

[BruinAquatics]

It could slowly dilute but really you wont see much of a difference. If you want 0 phosphate then i would use a phosphate remover thats aquarium rated. Or i would use house plants (check out my article down below)

 

[GlennO]

1ppm phosphate is not unusual. Shouldn't cause any problems especially if it's a planted tank.

 

[Andres391]

It is causing problems 1. Green spot algae on plants. 2. Plants are stunted. I just did a small vacuum on just the top part of gravel added some more water then today I have 0.5 ppm phosphate thats now taking care of it looks like I may just need to feed once a day.

It could slowly dilute but really you wont see much of a difference. If you want 0 phosphate then i would use a phosphate remover thats aquarium rated. Or i would use house plants (check out my article down below)

I just vacuumed the gravel yesterday on the top part then tested today 0.5 ppm phosphate which is where I wanted to be since the plants like phosphate just not to much to cause Green spot algae.

 

[DoubleDutch]

It is causing problems 1. Green spot algae on plants. 2. Plants are stunted. I just did a small vacuum on just the top part of gravel added some more water then today I have 0.5 ppm phosphate thats now taking care of it looks like I may just need to feed once a day.

I just vacuumed the gravel yesterday on the top part then tested today 0.5 ppm phosphate which is where I wanted to be since the plants like phosphate just not to much to cause Green spot algae.

the mentioned problems aren't caused by phosfates of 1.

 

[Andres391]

the mentioned problems aren't caused by phosfates of 1.

What could cause green spot algae besides too much light and high phosphates

 

[Pfrozen]

What could cause green spot algae besides too much light and high phosphates

Green spot is simply caused by too much light, phosphates have nothing to do with it... my tap water is high in phosphates as well

Phosphates have a buffering effect on pH, which doesn't matter if you're looking to maintain pH at 7.4 or above anyways

Phosphates can also sequester calcium if they run too high so on rare occasions the GH might not be truly representative of how much calcium/magnesium is available to plants and invertebrates but that isn't something that most people have trouble with to be honest. It also depends on whether your phosphate is from an organic or inorganic contaminate

So uh, yea, don't worry too much about it, you are good

 

[ShannyB]

Low phosphates can actually contribute to the development of GSA, if the balance is off, from what I understand. It sounds like the balance of nutrients may be off. What is your nitrate level? I can't remember the suggested ratio for NPK but stunted growth and GSA make me think something else is going on, not the phosphates.

 

[GlennO]

Low phosphates can actually contribute to the development of GSA, if the balance is off, from what I understand. It sounds like the balance of nutrients may be off. What is your nitrate level? I can't remember the suggested ratio for NPK but stunted growth and GSA make me think something else is going on, not the phosphates.

Not sure about K but the often recommended N to P ratio is 10:1.

A standard dose of my all-in-one aquarium fertiliser is supposed to yield 7.5ppm nitrate, 1.30ppm phosphate and 5.27ppm potassium.

 

[ShannyB]

Not sure about K but the often recommended N to P ratio is 10:1.

Perfect, thank you! I was reading up on it all late one night because of phosphate deficiency appearing in some of my swords and knew there was a ratio just couldn't remember it!

 

[Andres391]

Green spot is simply caused by too much light, phosphates have nothing to do with it... my tap water is high in phosphates as well

Phosphates have a buffering effect on pH, which doesn't matter if you're looking to maintain pH at 7.4 or above anyways

Phosphates can also sequester calcium if they run too high so on rare occasions the GH might not be truly representative of how much calcium/magnesium is available to plants and invertebrates but that isn't something that most people have trouble with to be honest. It also depends on whether your phosphate is from an organic or inorganic contaminate

So uh, yea, don't worry too much about it, you are good

Thanks yea I had changed out some old gravel for new and the waste debris was all over the water and caused it to rise to 1ppm

Low phosphates can actually contribute to the development of GSA, if the balance is off, from what I understand. It sounds like the balance of nutrients may be off. What is your nitrate level? I can't remember the suggested ratio for NPK but stunted growth and GSA make me think something else is going on, not the phosphates.

My nitrates has always been at1ppm but the reason why the phosphates went up was because I had changed out some old for new gravel I had waste debris all over the tank but I got it stable at 1ppm even after 50 percent water change and light vacuum. Just got a co2 tank so maybe my plants well absorb most of this easier.