Marnol D Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 What is everyone's go to Phosphate remover/absorbers and where do you place it within your tank/filter? I am having troubles with high phosphate (and due to this bba I suspect )* and before I go out and purchase phosphate removers I am asking for everyone's favorite way to remove phosphates. I have a lightly planted tank (any plant suggestions would be wonderful) and it seems none of the plants are to demanding for phosphate (or as im thinking I just have excess not being used). I have already tried changing my lighting cycle and adding CO2 and water movement (which took care of the staghorn) so now I am on to lowering my phosphates. *no other algae grows besides BBA now and plants are growing fine. Any suggestions would be helpful. I have started to user easy green once a week (thinking I was lacking other nutrients to help the plants absorb the phosphates) and have started feeding more frozen foods in hopes that this will help decrease phosphates. I have a HOB so I can add the phosphate remover/absorber in it ,but if anyone has an idea how to add it to a sponge filter that would be wonderful aswell. Currently all that is in my filter is a sponge and ceramic pellets. Live Plants: Moneywort, Red Flame Sword(one mature plant and two mini's that grew from it), Crypticoryne wendetti, Pink Flamingo Crypts, amazon sword, recently added java fern from one of my other tanks and a tiny (5 leaf) pothos plant hanging out the top thats slowly growing new roots. I have a fluval 3.0 on 45 gallon tank with normal gravel as the substrate. Ammonia: 0 Nitrites:0 Nitrates: 50 (doesnt fluctuate much when easy green added) PH: 7.2 GH:very hard looks to be 300 on the test strips even though out of my tap its less than the 150 range kh: 40~ Chlorine: 0 Thank you, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Zenzo Posted October 15, 2021 Administrators Share Posted October 15, 2021 Before trying more drastic measures, maybe try and do a thorough gravel vacuum. Phosphates occur through the breakdown of organic waste, so this may help (vacuuming up detritus and waste). Otherwise, I would opt for the natural method (like plants), as it is better long term. It looks like you have a good amount of plants. That pothos that you added should help too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatyourpeas Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 As @Zenzo recommended, vacuuming gravel often, and also adding nutrient and ammonia eaters like Hornwort. If you are in a hurry, adding a piece of Poly-Filter in your HOB can help short term. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marnol D Posted October 15, 2021 Author Share Posted October 15, 2021 @eatyourpeas Hmm didnt think of using the polyfil for a quick method to collect stuff and toss probably would work well. Also how close to the rooted plants do y'all suggest getting with the gravel vacc? I usually only do the open areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatyourpeas Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 On 10/15/2021 at 10:43 AM, Marnol D said: @eatyourpeas Hmm didnt think of using the polyfil for a quick method to collect stuff and toss probably would work well. Also how close to the rooted plants do y'all suggest getting with the gravel vacc? I usually only do the open areas. Unfortunately I can't help you there. I do not have gravel and never vacuum my sand substrate. 🙄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmiller2001 Posted October 17, 2021 Share Posted October 17, 2021 What are your phosphates testing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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