I don't know how much phosphate is actually in there, only that they've been
adding it. Additionally, after all the ammonia and nitrIte spikes, my
nitrAtes are 160 (which is as high as the goes).

It's no wonder that I have this algae problem; it's a wonder I don't have
OTHERS! The phosphate sponge by Kent: I can buy 5 gallons of it for $87.40,
which will do 2500 gallons of water (I have 1200), but I will also need an
800 micron mesh bag to keep it in. ProLine's Phosphate Remover will do
roughly the same gallons for $58.70, and is larger (but I don't know if it's
rechargable), but it will also take the level down to 0.2 mg/l. Are you
familiar with it?

Lee

"ajames54" wrote in message
...
On 12 Jun 2003 09:46:54 -0500, "Lee Brouillet"
wrote:

I've got to shorten this post, or it will get out of hand and I won't be
able to follow it any more.

SNIP...
lets treat this as an aside then...

Do you know what your phosphate levels are? There are commercial
products available that will remove phosphates from your water...
in many cases they are prohibitively expensive, and many are some
form of aluminum oxide (which may damage your Biofilter)... Kent
Marine makes one called "phosphate sponge" which claims to bring
phosphate down from 1 ppm to .05 ppm within a matter of hours...
and not leach aluminum into the water. The cost is about $10 per
100 gallons.

I wonder if GD knows... but it has always struck me that a good
aggressive protean skimmer should work to remove the free
floating varieties...