Hi...
I just picked up a new Hagen Nitrate and Phosphate test kit for my
29gal. I just re-started my tank with fresh gravel and new plants and
lights. I have 95watts, and DIY C02. I also completed a 50% water
change yesterday, and another 25% waterchange today, because of a
small thread/ hair algae outbreak. So I wanted to make sure my water
was clean before testing. The tank has been running for 6 weeks,
cycled and has a good bacteria load going for sure. Maintenance is
kept up religiously. Plants were growing for a couple of weeks, but
are showing signs of slowing down, and yellowing.

Readings are as follows: (after water change)
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0-5ppm
Phosphate: 5ppm+
K:??
Nitrite: 0ppm
PH: 7.0
GH: 8deg
Kh: 9deg
c02: ~20ppm
temp:78
Fish load minimal: (4 Cardinals, Pleco, and a Cory)


Problem here is obviously the Phosphate!! I tested my tap water and it
came back zero. Then I did a test in the tank (after the water
change), and it was off the scale?!! I dont get it! Something is
really leaking Phosphate into my tank...and I dont know what? I have
fertilizer spikes under the plants which have Phosphate in them, but
they are way under the gravel and are never disturbed.

Someone told me that Activated Carbon in your filter releases
Phosphate, but I found that hard to believe as Activated Carbon is
supposed to suck up nutrients rather than release them right???

I'm really stuck on this one! Can anyone give a list of possible
sources of Phosphate, that I might not be considering. At present, I
am not dosing any ferts, and havent since start up. The phosphate just
magically appears for no reason!

Thx in advance,
Nick.

From: (Nick D)

Hi...
I just picked up a new Hagen Nitrate and Phosphate test kit for my
29gal. I just re-started my tank with fresh gravel and new plants and
lights. I have 95watts, and DIY C02. I also completed a 50% water
change yesterday, and another 25% waterchange today, because of a
small thread/ hair algae outbreak. So I wanted to make sure my water
was clean before testing. The tank has been running for 6 weeks,
cycled and has a good bacteria load going for sure. Maintenance is
kept up religiously. Plants were growing for a couple of weeks, but
are showing signs of slowing down, and yellowing.

Readings are as follows: (after water change)
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0-5ppm
Phosphate: 5ppm+
K:??
Nitrite: 0ppm
PH: 7.0
GH: 8deg
Kh: 9deg
c02: ~20ppm
temp:78
Fish load minimal: (4 Cardinals, Pleco, and a Cory)


Problem here is obviously the Phosphate!! I tested my tap water and it
came back zero. Then I did a test in the tank (after the water
change), and it was off the scale?!! I dont get it! Something is
really leaking Phosphate into my tank...and I dont know what? I have
fertilizer spikes under the plants which have Phosphate in them, but
they are way under the gravel and are never disturbed.

Someone told me that Activated Carbon in your filter releases
Phosphate, but I found that hard to believe as Activated Carbon is
supposed to suck up nutrients rather than release them right???

I'm really stuck on this one! Can anyone give a list of possible
sources of Phosphate, that I might not be considering. At present, I
am not dosing any ferts, and havent since start up. The phosphate just
magically appears for no reason!

Thx in advance,
Nick.

A good temporary fix is to buy some Phos-Zorb and and put the pouch in your
filter. But you really need to find the cause. The most obvious suspect is
over-feeding.


Nick Wise
http://members.aol.com/nwwise01

From: (Nick D)

Hi...
I just picked up a new Hagen Nitrate and Phosphate test kit for my
29gal. I just re-started my tank with fresh gravel and new plants and
lights. I have 95watts, and DIY C02. I also completed a 50% water
change yesterday, and another 25% waterchange today, because of a
small thread/ hair algae outbreak. So I wanted to make sure my water
was clean before testing. The tank has been running for 6 weeks,
cycled and has a good bacteria load going for sure. Maintenance is
kept up religiously. Plants were growing for a couple of weeks, but
are showing signs of slowing down, and yellowing.

Readings are as follows: (after water change)
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0-5ppm
Phosphate: 5ppm+
K:??
Nitrite: 0ppm
PH: 7.0
GH: 8deg
Kh: 9deg
c02: ~20ppm
temp:78
Fish load minimal: (4 Cardinals, Pleco, and a Cory)


Problem here is obviously the Phosphate!! I tested my tap water and it
came back zero. Then I did a test in the tank (after the water
change), and it was off the scale?!! I dont get it! Something is
really leaking Phosphate into my tank...and I dont know what? I have
fertilizer spikes under the plants which have Phosphate in them, but
they are way under the gravel and are never disturbed.

Someone told me that Activated Carbon in your filter releases
Phosphate, but I found that hard to believe as Activated Carbon is
supposed to suck up nutrients rather than release them right???

I'm really stuck on this one! Can anyone give a list of possible
sources of Phosphate, that I might not be considering. At present, I
am not dosing any ferts, and havent since start up. The phosphate just
magically appears for no reason!

Thx in advance,
Nick.

A good temporary fix is to buy some Phos-Zorb and and put the pouch in your
filter. But you really need to find the cause. The most obvious suspect is
over-feeding.


Nick Wise
http://members.aol.com/nwwise01

Hi there

Ditch one of your tubes, 3.5 watts per gallon is a tad on the bright side.
Try 2 WPG or near to there. Your co2 is not keeping up (20ppm) with this
ammount of light. Maybe cut an hour out of the photo period aswell.

Ditch the activated carbon aswell, no use for it in a planted tank. You
might be TOO RELIGIOUS with your maintenance routine , Are you adding
Nitrates back to the tank after water changes? If your N is 0-5ppm then your
plants are starving. There is a relationship between N & P, I would say that
your Nitrates are being used up too quickly therefore leaving the available
Phosphate to float around the water column...

IME Root stix are a disaster, this may be adding to the phosphate levels you
report. Try and vacuum some of them out. If your tank is only 6 weeks old
you might want to give it a bit of time until you have some mulm build up
before seeing any good signs in the plants! You will have to start dosing
Macro ferts in the water column as I think your gravel may still be a bit
sterile for plants to inhabit happily.

You must start adding ferts asap, your plants are starving.
Go to the pharmacy/drug store/chemist and buy the following:
But before adding ferts, ALWAYS make sure that your co2 levels are high and
are stable. Add another bottle if you have to, according to Tom Barr you
want to shoot for about 30ppm in the morning and try and keep it there, if
you are at 20ppm in the evening this would be ok.
Salt Petre (Pottassium Nitrate or KNO3) dose 1 level teaspoon twice a week.
This will take care of Pottassium aswell as Nitrates. No-Salt contains
Pottassium Chloride and could be added as an extra dose but probably not
necessary.
You can get fleet enema as a phosphate source (when your levels come down),
dose 3 drops twice weekly.
You can use Epsom salts as a Magnesium source, Or dolomite pills/powder as a
calcium & Magnesium source at the correct ratios. Im not sure about the
dosing quantity for this one, I let the plants indicate a calcium deficiency
by looking at the leaves on Hygro Polysperma, they get "wrinkled".
Of course not to forget your micro ferts which can be bought at any LFS,
take your pick, I've used Kent and Sera ferts and they seem to work well!

Hows that for a long winded post
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**



"Nick D" wrote in message
om...
Hi...
I just picked up a new Hagen Nitrate and Phosphate test kit for my
29gal. I just re-started my tank with fresh gravel and new plants and
lights. I have 95watts, and DIY C02. I also completed a 50% water
change yesterday, and another 25% waterchange today, because of a
small thread/ hair algae outbreak. So I wanted to make sure my water
was clean before testing. The tank has been running for 6 weeks,
cycled and has a good bacteria load going for sure. Maintenance is
kept up religiously. Plants were growing for a couple of weeks, but
are showing signs of slowing down, and yellowing.

Readings are as follows: (after water change)
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0-5ppm
Phosphate: 5ppm+
K:??
Nitrite: 0ppm
PH: 7.0
GH: 8deg
Kh: 9deg
c02: ~20ppm
temp:78
Fish load minimal: (4 Cardinals, Pleco, and a Cory)


Problem here is obviously the Phosphate!! I tested my tap water and it
came back zero. Then I did a test in the tank (after the water
change), and it was off the scale?!! I dont get it! Something is
really leaking Phosphate into my tank...and I dont know what? I have
fertilizer spikes under the plants which have Phosphate in them, but
they are way under the gravel and are never disturbed.

Someone told me that Activated Carbon in your filter releases
Phosphate, but I found that hard to believe as Activated Carbon is
supposed to suck up nutrients rather than release them right???

I'm really stuck on this one! Can anyone give a list of possible
sources of Phosphate, that I might not be considering. At present, I
am not dosing any ferts, and havent since start up. The phosphate just
magically appears for no reason!

Thx in advance,
Nick.

Hi there

Ditch one of your tubes, 3.5 watts per gallon is a tad on the bright side.
Try 2 WPG or near to there. Your co2 is not keeping up (20ppm) with this
ammount of light. Maybe cut an hour out of the photo period aswell.

Ditch the activated carbon aswell, no use for it in a planted tank. You
might be TOO RELIGIOUS with your maintenance routine , Are you adding
Nitrates back to the tank after water changes? If your N is 0-5ppm then your
plants are starving. There is a relationship between N & P, I would say that
your Nitrates are being used up too quickly therefore leaving the available
Phosphate to float around the water column...

IME Root stix are a disaster, this may be adding to the phosphate levels you
report. Try and vacuum some of them out. If your tank is only 6 weeks old
you might want to give it a bit of time until you have some mulm build up
before seeing any good signs in the plants! You will have to start dosing
Macro ferts in the water column as I think your gravel may still be a bit
sterile for plants to inhabit happily.

You must start adding ferts asap, your plants are starving.
Go to the pharmacy/drug store/chemist and buy the following:
But before adding ferts, ALWAYS make sure that your co2 levels are high and
are stable. Add another bottle if you have to, according to Tom Barr you
want to shoot for about 30ppm in the morning and try and keep it there, if
you are at 20ppm in the evening this would be ok.
Salt Petre (Pottassium Nitrate or KNO3) dose 1 level teaspoon twice a week.
This will take care of Pottassium aswell as Nitrates. No-Salt contains
Pottassium Chloride and could be added as an extra dose but probably not
necessary.
You can get fleet enema as a phosphate source (when your levels come down),
dose 3 drops twice weekly.
You can use Epsom salts as a Magnesium source, Or dolomite pills/powder as a
calcium & Magnesium source at the correct ratios. Im not sure about the
dosing quantity for this one, I let the plants indicate a calcium deficiency
by looking at the leaves on Hygro Polysperma, they get "wrinkled".
Of course not to forget your micro ferts which can be bought at any LFS,
take your pick, I've used Kent and Sera ferts and they seem to work well!

Hows that for a long winded post
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**



"Nick D" wrote in message
om...
Hi...
I just picked up a new Hagen Nitrate and Phosphate test kit for my
29gal. I just re-started my tank with fresh gravel and new plants and
lights. I have 95watts, and DIY C02. I also completed a 50% water
change yesterday, and another 25% waterchange today, because of a
small thread/ hair algae outbreak. So I wanted to make sure my water
was clean before testing. The tank has been running for 6 weeks,
cycled and has a good bacteria load going for sure. Maintenance is
kept up religiously. Plants were growing for a couple of weeks, but
are showing signs of slowing down, and yellowing.

Readings are as follows: (after water change)
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0-5ppm
Phosphate: 5ppm+
K:??
Nitrite: 0ppm
PH: 7.0
GH: 8deg
Kh: 9deg
c02: ~20ppm
temp:78
Fish load minimal: (4 Cardinals, Pleco, and a Cory)


Problem here is obviously the Phosphate!! I tested my tap water and it
came back zero. Then I did a test in the tank (after the water
change), and it was off the scale?!! I dont get it! Something is
really leaking Phosphate into my tank...and I dont know what? I have
fertilizer spikes under the plants which have Phosphate in them, but
they are way under the gravel and are never disturbed.

Someone told me that Activated Carbon in your filter releases
Phosphate, but I found that hard to believe as Activated Carbon is
supposed to suck up nutrients rather than release them right???

I'm really stuck on this one! Can anyone give a list of possible
sources of Phosphate, that I might not be considering. At present, I
am not dosing any ferts, and havent since start up. The phosphate just
magically appears for no reason!

Thx in advance,
Nick.

Hi there

Ditch one of your tubes, 3.5 watts per gallon is a tad on the bright side.
Try 2 WPG or near to there. Your co2 is not keeping up (20ppm) with this
ammount of light. Maybe cut an hour out of the photo period aswell.

Ditch the activated carbon aswell, no use for it in a planted tank. You
might be TOO RELIGIOUS with your maintenance routine , Are you adding
Nitrates back to the tank after water changes? If your N is 0-5ppm then your
plants are starving. There is a relationship between N & P, I would say that
your Nitrates are being used up too quickly therefore leaving the available
Phosphate to float around the water column...

IME Root stix are a disaster, this may be adding to the phosphate levels you
report. Try and vacuum some of them out. If your tank is only 6 weeks old
you might want to give it a bit of time until you have some mulm build up
before seeing any good signs in the plants! You will have to start dosing
Macro ferts in the water column as I think your gravel may still be a bit
sterile for plants to inhabit happily.

You must start adding ferts asap, your plants are starving.
Go to the pharmacy/drug store/chemist and buy the following:
But before adding ferts, ALWAYS make sure that your co2 levels are high and
are stable. Add another bottle if you have to, according to Tom Barr you
want to shoot for about 30ppm in the morning and try and keep it there, if
you are at 20ppm in the evening this would be ok.
Salt Petre (Pottassium Nitrate or KNO3) dose 1 level teaspoon twice a week.
This will take care of Pottassium aswell as Nitrates. No-Salt contains
Pottassium Chloride and could be added as an extra dose but probably not
necessary.
You can get fleet enema as a phosphate source (when your levels come down),
dose 3 drops twice weekly.
You can use Epsom salts as a Magnesium source, Or dolomite pills/powder as a
calcium & Magnesium source at the correct ratios. Im not sure about the
dosing quantity for this one, I let the plants indicate a calcium deficiency
by looking at the leaves on Hygro Polysperma, they get "wrinkled".
Of course not to forget your micro ferts which can be bought at any LFS,
take your pick, I've used Kent and Sera ferts and they seem to work well!

Hows that for a long winded post
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**



"Nick D" wrote in message
om...
Hi...
I just picked up a new Hagen Nitrate and Phosphate test kit for my
29gal. I just re-started my tank with fresh gravel and new plants and
lights. I have 95watts, and DIY C02. I also completed a 50% water
change yesterday, and another 25% waterchange today, because of a
small thread/ hair algae outbreak. So I wanted to make sure my water
was clean before testing. The tank has been running for 6 weeks,
cycled and has a good bacteria load going for sure. Maintenance is
kept up religiously. Plants were growing for a couple of weeks, but
are showing signs of slowing down, and yellowing.

Readings are as follows: (after water change)
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0-5ppm
Phosphate: 5ppm+
K:??
Nitrite: 0ppm
PH: 7.0
GH: 8deg
Kh: 9deg
c02: ~20ppm
temp:78
Fish load minimal: (4 Cardinals, Pleco, and a Cory)


Problem here is obviously the Phosphate!! I tested my tap water and it
came back zero. Then I did a test in the tank (after the water
change), and it was off the scale?!! I dont get it! Something is
really leaking Phosphate into my tank...and I dont know what? I have
fertilizer spikes under the plants which have Phosphate in them, but
they are way under the gravel and are never disturbed.

Someone told me that Activated Carbon in your filter releases
Phosphate, but I found that hard to believe as Activated Carbon is
supposed to suck up nutrients rather than release them right???

I'm really stuck on this one! Can anyone give a list of possible
sources of Phosphate, that I might not be considering. At present, I
am not dosing any ferts, and havent since start up. The phosphate just
magically appears for no reason!

Thx in advance,
Nick.

Hi there

Ditch one of your tubes, 3.5 watts per gallon is a tad on the bright side.
Try 2 WPG or near to there. Your co2 is not keeping up (20ppm) with this
ammount of light. Maybe cut an hour out of the photo period aswell.

Ditch the activated carbon aswell, no use for it in a planted tank. You
might be TOO RELIGIOUS with your maintenance routine , Are you adding
Nitrates back to the tank after water changes? If your N is 0-5ppm then your
plants are starving. There is a relationship between N & P, I would say that
your Nitrates are being used up too quickly therefore leaving the available
Phosphate to float around the water column...

IME Root stix are a disaster, this may be adding to the phosphate levels you
report. Try and vacuum some of them out. If your tank is only 6 weeks old
you might want to give it a bit of time until you have some mulm build up
before seeing any good signs in the plants! You will have to start dosing
Macro ferts in the water column as I think your gravel may still be a bit
sterile for plants to inhabit happily.

You must start adding ferts asap, your plants are starving.
Go to the pharmacy/drug store/chemist and buy the following:
But before adding ferts, ALWAYS make sure that your co2 levels are high and
are stable. Add another bottle if you have to, according to Tom Barr you
want to shoot for about 30ppm in the morning and try and keep it there, if
you are at 20ppm in the evening this would be ok.
Salt Petre (Pottassium Nitrate or KNO3) dose 1 level teaspoon twice a week.
This will take care of Pottassium aswell as Nitrates. No-Salt contains
Pottassium Chloride and could be added as an extra dose but probably not
necessary.
You can get fleet enema as a phosphate source (when your levels come down),
dose 3 drops twice weekly.
You can use Epsom salts as a Magnesium source, Or dolomite pills/powder as a
calcium & Magnesium source at the correct ratios. Im not sure about the
dosing quantity for this one, I let the plants indicate a calcium deficiency
by looking at the leaves on Hygro Polysperma, they get "wrinkled".
Of course not to forget your micro ferts which can be bought at any LFS,
take your pick, I've used Kent and Sera ferts and they seem to work well!

Hows that for a long winded post
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**



"Nick D" wrote in message
om...
Hi...
I just picked up a new Hagen Nitrate and Phosphate test kit for my
29gal. I just re-started my tank with fresh gravel and new plants and
lights. I have 95watts, and DIY C02. I also completed a 50% water
change yesterday, and another 25% waterchange today, because of a
small thread/ hair algae outbreak. So I wanted to make sure my water
was clean before testing. The tank has been running for 6 weeks,
cycled and has a good bacteria load going for sure. Maintenance is
kept up religiously. Plants were growing for a couple of weeks, but
are showing signs of slowing down, and yellowing.

Readings are as follows: (after water change)
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0-5ppm
Phosphate: 5ppm+
K:??
Nitrite: 0ppm
PH: 7.0
GH: 8deg
Kh: 9deg
c02: ~20ppm
temp:78
Fish load minimal: (4 Cardinals, Pleco, and a Cory)


Problem here is obviously the Phosphate!! I tested my tap water and it
came back zero. Then I did a test in the tank (after the water
change), and it was off the scale?!! I dont get it! Something is
really leaking Phosphate into my tank...and I dont know what? I have
fertilizer spikes under the plants which have Phosphate in them, but
they are way under the gravel and are never disturbed.

Someone told me that Activated Carbon in your filter releases
Phosphate, but I found that hard to believe as Activated Carbon is
supposed to suck up nutrients rather than release them right???

I'm really stuck on this one! Can anyone give a list of possible
sources of Phosphate, that I might not be considering. At present, I
am not dosing any ferts, and havent since start up. The phosphate just
magically appears for no reason!

Thx in advance,
Nick.

Hi there

Ditch one of your tubes, 3.5 watts per gallon is a tad on the bright side.
Try 2 WPG or near to there. Your co2 is not keeping up (20ppm) with this
ammount of light. Maybe cut an hour out of the photo period aswell.

Ditch the activated carbon aswell, no use for it in a planted tank. You
might be TOO RELIGIOUS with your maintenance routine , Are you adding
Nitrates back to the tank after water changes? If your N is 0-5ppm then your
plants are starving. There is a relationship between N & P, I would say that
your Nitrates are being used up too quickly therefore leaving the available
Phosphate to float around the water column...

IME Root stix are a disaster, this may be adding to the phosphate levels you
report. Try and vacuum some of them out. If your tank is only 6 weeks old
you might want to give it a bit of time until you have some mulm build up
before seeing any good signs in the plants! You will have to start dosing
Macro ferts in the water column as I think your gravel may still be a bit
sterile for plants to inhabit happily.

You must start adding ferts asap, your plants are starving.
Go to the pharmacy/drug store/chemist and buy the following:
But before adding ferts, ALWAYS make sure that your co2 levels are high and
are stable. Add another bottle if you have to, according to Tom Barr you
want to shoot for about 30ppm in the morning and try and keep it there, if
you are at 20ppm in the evening this would be ok.
Salt Petre (Pottassium Nitrate or KNO3) dose 1 level teaspoon twice a week.
This will take care of Pottassium aswell as Nitrates. No-Salt contains
Pottassium Chloride and could be added as an extra dose but probably not
necessary.
You can get fleet enema as a phosphate source (when your levels come down),
dose 3 drops twice weekly.
You can use Epsom salts as a Magnesium source, Or dolomite pills/powder as a
calcium & Magnesium source at the correct ratios. Im not sure about the
dosing quantity for this one, I let the plants indicate a calcium deficiency
by looking at the leaves on Hygro Polysperma, they get "wrinkled".
Of course not to forget your micro ferts which can be bought at any LFS,
take your pick, I've used Kent and Sera ferts and they seem to work well!

Hows that for a long winded post
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**



"Nick D" wrote in message
om...
Hi...
I just picked up a new Hagen Nitrate and Phosphate test kit for my
29gal. I just re-started my tank with fresh gravel and new plants and
lights. I have 95watts, and DIY C02. I also completed a 50% water
change yesterday, and another 25% waterchange today, because of a
small thread/ hair algae outbreak. So I wanted to make sure my water
was clean before testing. The tank has been running for 6 weeks,
cycled and has a good bacteria load going for sure. Maintenance is
kept up religiously. Plants were growing for a couple of weeks, but
are showing signs of slowing down, and yellowing.

Readings are as follows: (after water change)
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0-5ppm
Phosphate: 5ppm+
K:??
Nitrite: 0ppm
PH: 7.0
GH: 8deg
Kh: 9deg
c02: ~20ppm
temp:78
Fish load minimal: (4 Cardinals, Pleco, and a Cory)


Problem here is obviously the Phosphate!! I tested my tap water and it
came back zero. Then I did a test in the tank (after the water
change), and it was off the scale?!! I dont get it! Something is
really leaking Phosphate into my tank...and I dont know what? I have
fertilizer spikes under the plants which have Phosphate in them, but
they are way under the gravel and are never disturbed.

Someone told me that Activated Carbon in your filter releases
Phosphate, but I found that hard to believe as Activated Carbon is
supposed to suck up nutrients rather than release them right???

I'm really stuck on this one! Can anyone give a list of possible
sources of Phosphate, that I might not be considering. At present, I
am not dosing any ferts, and havent since start up. The phosphate just
magically appears for no reason!

Thx in advance,
Nick.

In addition to light and CO2, plants need nutrients to grow. Nutrients are
divided into two categories:
Macro Nutrients: Nitrogen, Phosphate, & Nitrogen
Micro Nutrients: Trace elements (iron, zinc, etc ..)

In the presence of good light and CO2 levels, the plants will grow until one
or more nutrients is expended. At that time, they will stop growing (and
consuming nutrients) even though other nutrients are abundant.

In your case, the limiting nutrient seems to be Nitrogen (nitrate levels are
very low). It is understandable that your plants stopped growing or slowed
down. Unfortunately, unlike plants, algae can fix its own nitrogen and can
therefore continue to grow in the absence of nitrogen as long as the
remaining nutrients are available (all in the presence of light and CO2).

Therefore, what you need to do is make sure that there is ample supply of
nitrogen (as nitrate), potassium and trace elements. Eventually, all of the
available phosphate is consumed by the plants (and algae) and phosphate
becomes the growth limiting factor. At that stage, your plants -being the
dominant macro organisms- will be able to out-compete the algae for the
available phosphate. The algae disappears.

In summary

- Add Nitrate to 5-10 ppm - raise the level slowly over a course of a week
(after you have dealt with the excess phosphate)
- Add Trace elements using a kit like SeaChem Flourish
- Some people suggest the addition of potassium as K2S04 or KCl to make sure
potassium is in ample supply
- Maintain your current levels of light and CO2

Your phosphate levels should always be near zero (0). If growth becomes too
hindered, you can control it using very small doses of phosphate from a
source such as fish food or fleet enema

In the short term, however, you need to reduce your phosphates in order to
arrest the algae bloom using one of the available products on the market.

And, get rid of the carbon filter, it absorbs your micro nutrients (trace
elements) making them the limiting growth factor.

Don't forget the weekly 25% + water changes to dilute any excess nutrients
you've added to ensure they are in ample supply.

In addition to light and CO2, plants need nutrients to grow. Nutrients are
divided into two categories:
Macro Nutrients: Nitrogen, Phosphate, & Nitrogen
Micro Nutrients: Trace elements (iron, zinc, etc ..)

In the presence of good light and CO2 levels, the plants will grow until one
or more nutrients is expended. At that time, they will stop growing (and
consuming nutrients) even though other nutrients are abundant.

In your case, the limiting nutrient seems to be Nitrogen (nitrate levels are
very low). It is understandable that your plants stopped growing or slowed
down. Unfortunately, unlike plants, algae can fix its own nitrogen and can
therefore continue to grow in the absence of nitrogen as long as the
remaining nutrients are available (all in the presence of light and CO2).

Therefore, what you need to do is make sure that there is ample supply of
nitrogen (as nitrate), potassium and trace elements. Eventually, all of the
available phosphate is consumed by the plants (and algae) and phosphate
becomes the growth limiting factor. At that stage, your plants -being the
dominant macro organisms- will be able to out-compete the algae for the
available phosphate. The algae disappears.

In summary

- Add Nitrate to 5-10 ppm - raise the level slowly over a course of a week
(after you have dealt with the excess phosphate)
- Add Trace elements using a kit like SeaChem Flourish
- Some people suggest the addition of potassium as K2S04 or KCl to make sure
potassium is in ample supply
- Maintain your current levels of light and CO2

Your phosphate levels should always be near zero (0). If growth becomes too
hindered, you can control it using very small doses of phosphate from a
source such as fish food or fleet enema

In the short term, however, you need to reduce your phosphates in order to
arrest the algae bloom using one of the available products on the market.

And, get rid of the carbon filter, it absorbs your micro nutrients (trace
elements) making them the limiting growth factor.

Don't forget the weekly 25% + water changes to dilute any excess nutrients
you've added to ensure they are in ample supply.

Hi there

Ditch one of your tubes, 3.5 watts per gallon is a tad on the bright
side. Try 2 WPG or near to there. Your co2 is not keeping up (20ppm)
with this ammount of light. Maybe cut an hour out of the photo period
aswell.

Ditch the activated carbon aswell, no use for it in a planted tank.
You might be TOO RELIGIOUS with your maintenance routine , Are you
adding Nitrates back to the tank after water changes? If your N is
0-5ppm then your plants are starving. There is a relationship between
N & P, I would say that your Nitrates are being used up too quickly
therefore leaving the available Phosphate to float around the water
column...

IME Root stix are a disaster, this may be adding to the phosphate
levels you report. Try and vacuum some of them out. If your tank is
only 6 weeks old you might want to give it a bit of time until you
have some mulm build up before seeing any good signs in the plants!
You will have to start dosing Macro ferts in the water column as I
think your gravel may still be a bit sterile for plants to inhabit
happily.

You must start adding ferts asap, your plants are starving.
Go to the pharmacy/drug store/chemist and buy the following:
But before adding ferts, ALWAYS make sure that your co2 levels are
high and are stable. Add another bottle if you have to, according to
Tom Barr you want to shoot for about 30ppm in the morning and try and
keep it there, if you are at 20ppm in the evening this would be ok.
Salt Petre (Pottassium Nitrate or KNO3) dose 1 level teaspoon twice a
week. This will take care of Pottassium aswell as Nitrates. No-Salt
contains Pottassium Chloride and could be added as an extra dose but
probably not necessary.
You can get fleet enema as a phosphate source (when your levels come
down), dose 3 drops twice weekly.
You can use Epsom salts as a Magnesium source, Or dolomite
pills/powder as a calcium & Magnesium source at the correct ratios.
Im not sure about the dosing quantity for this one, I let the plants
indicate a calcium deficiency by looking at the leaves on Hygro
Polysperma, they get "wrinkled".
Of course not to forget your micro ferts which can be bought at any
LFS, take your pick, I've used Kent and Sera ferts and they seem to
work well!

Hows that for a long winded post

Cam, I had to thank you for that explanation... I've saved it because I want
to use it later, it will add to my pile of useful info I've collected over
the years...

and Nemo, you're post has also been saved....Thanks.

--
RedForeman ©®
Sorry about the troll, the ball is rolling there....

Hi there

Ditch one of your tubes, 3.5 watts per gallon is a tad on the bright
side. Try 2 WPG or near to there. Your co2 is not keeping up (20ppm)
with this ammount of light. Maybe cut an hour out of the photo period
aswell.

Ditch the activated carbon aswell, no use for it in a planted tank.
You might be TOO RELIGIOUS with your maintenance routine , Are you
adding Nitrates back to the tank after water changes? If your N is
0-5ppm then your plants are starving. There is a relationship between
N & P, I would say that your Nitrates are being used up too quickly
therefore leaving the available Phosphate to float around the water
column...

IME Root stix are a disaster, this may be adding to the phosphate
levels you report. Try and vacuum some of them out. If your tank is
only 6 weeks old you might want to give it a bit of time until you
have some mulm build up before seeing any good signs in the plants!
You will have to start dosing Macro ferts in the water column as I
think your gravel may still be a bit sterile for plants to inhabit
happily.

You must start adding ferts asap, your plants are starving.
Go to the pharmacy/drug store/chemist and buy the following:
But before adding ferts, ALWAYS make sure that your co2 levels are
high and are stable. Add another bottle if you have to, according to
Tom Barr you want to shoot for about 30ppm in the morning and try and
keep it there, if you are at 20ppm in the evening this would be ok.
Salt Petre (Pottassium Nitrate or KNO3) dose 1 level teaspoon twice a
week. This will take care of Pottassium aswell as Nitrates. No-Salt
contains Pottassium Chloride and could be added as an extra dose but
probably not necessary.
You can get fleet enema as a phosphate source (when your levels come
down), dose 3 drops twice weekly.
You can use Epsom salts as a Magnesium source, Or dolomite
pills/powder as a calcium & Magnesium source at the correct ratios.
Im not sure about the dosing quantity for this one, I let the plants
indicate a calcium deficiency by looking at the leaves on Hygro
Polysperma, they get "wrinkled".
Of course not to forget your micro ferts which can be bought at any
LFS, take your pick, I've used Kent and Sera ferts and they seem to
work well!

Hows that for a long winded post

Cam, I had to thank you for that explanation... I've saved it because I want
to use it later, it will add to my pile of useful info I've collected over
the years...

and Nemo, you're post has also been saved....Thanks.

--
RedForeman ©®
Sorry about the troll, the ball is rolling there....

In addition to light and CO2, plants need nutrients to grow. Nutrients are
divided into two categories:
Macro Nutrients: Nitrogen, Phosphate, & Nitrogen
Micro Nutrients: Trace elements (iron, zinc, etc ..)

In the presence of good light and CO2 levels, the plants will grow until one
or more nutrients is expended. At that time, they will stop growing (and
consuming nutrients) even though other nutrients are abundant.

In your case, the limiting nutrient seems to be Nitrogen (nitrate levels are
very low). It is understandable that your plants stopped growing or slowed
down. Unfortunately, unlike plants, algae can fix its own nitrogen and can
therefore continue to grow in the absence of nitrogen as long as the
remaining nutrients are available (all in the presence of light and CO2).

Therefore, what you need to do is make sure that there is ample supply of
nitrogen (as nitrate), potassium and trace elements. Eventually, all of the
available phosphate is consumed by the plants (and algae) and phosphate
becomes the growth limiting factor. At that stage, your plants -being the
dominant macro organisms- will be able to out-compete the algae for the
available phosphate. The algae disappears.

In summary

- Add Nitrate to 5-10 ppm - raise the level slowly over a course of a week
(after you have dealt with the excess phosphate)
- Add Trace elements using a kit like SeaChem Flourish
- Some people suggest the addition of potassium as K2S04 or KCl to make sure
potassium is in ample supply
- Maintain your current levels of light and CO2

Your phosphate levels should always be near zero (0). If growth becomes too
hindered, you can control it using very small doses of phosphate from a
source such as fish food or fleet enema

In the short term, however, you need to reduce your phosphates in order to
arrest the algae bloom using one of the available products on the market.

And, get rid of the carbon filter, it absorbs your micro nutrients (trace
elements) making them the limiting growth factor.

Don't forget the weekly 25% + water changes to dilute any excess nutrients
you've added to ensure they are in ample supply.

Hi there

Ditch one of your tubes, 3.5 watts per gallon is a tad on the bright
side. Try 2 WPG or near to there. Your co2 is not keeping up (20ppm)
with this ammount of light. Maybe cut an hour out of the photo period
aswell.

Ditch the activated carbon aswell, no use for it in a planted tank.
You might be TOO RELIGIOUS with your maintenance routine , Are you
adding Nitrates back to the tank after water changes? If your N is
0-5ppm then your plants are starving. There is a relationship between
N & P, I would say that your Nitrates are being used up too quickly
therefore leaving the available Phosphate to float around the water
column...

IME Root stix are a disaster, this may be adding to the phosphate
levels you report. Try and vacuum some of them out. If your tank is
only 6 weeks old you might want to give it a bit of time until you
have some mulm build up before seeing any good signs in the plants!
You will have to start dosing Macro ferts in the water column as I
think your gravel may still be a bit sterile for plants to inhabit
happily.

You must start adding ferts asap, your plants are starving.
Go to the pharmacy/drug store/chemist and buy the following:
But before adding ferts, ALWAYS make sure that your co2 levels are
high and are stable. Add another bottle if you have to, according to
Tom Barr you want to shoot for about 30ppm in the morning and try and
keep it there, if you are at 20ppm in the evening this would be ok.
Salt Petre (Pottassium Nitrate or KNO3) dose 1 level teaspoon twice a
week. This will take care of Pottassium aswell as Nitrates. No-Salt
contains Pottassium Chloride and could be added as an extra dose but
probably not necessary.
You can get fleet enema as a phosphate source (when your levels come
down), dose 3 drops twice weekly.
You can use Epsom salts as a Magnesium source, Or dolomite
pills/powder as a calcium & Magnesium source at the correct ratios.
Im not sure about the dosing quantity for this one, I let the plants
indicate a calcium deficiency by looking at the leaves on Hygro
Polysperma, they get "wrinkled".
Of course not to forget your micro ferts which can be bought at any
LFS, take your pick, I've used Kent and Sera ferts and they seem to
work well!

Hows that for a long winded post

Cam, I had to thank you for that explanation... I've saved it because I want
to use it later, it will add to my pile of useful info I've collected over
the years...

and Nemo, you're post has also been saved....Thanks.

--
RedForeman ©®
Sorry about the troll, the ball is rolling there....

If it's not in the tap water then your plant spikes are leaking
phosphates. How thick is the substrate and what kind of plant sticks
are you using? Also what kind of gravel do you have? (the larger the
grain the easier it is for elements to come out of the substrates).
Everything else sounds good to me.

Hope that helps
Giancarlo Podio

(Nick D) wrote in message . com...
Hi...
I just picked up a new Hagen Nitrate and Phosphate test kit for my
29gal. I just re-started my tank with fresh gravel and new plants and
lights. I have 95watts, and DIY C02. I also completed a 50% water
change yesterday, and another 25% waterchange today, because of a
small thread/ hair algae outbreak. So I wanted to make sure my water
was clean before testing. The tank has been running for 6 weeks,
cycled and has a good bacteria load going for sure. Maintenance is
kept up religiously. Plants were growing for a couple of weeks, but
are showing signs of slowing down, and yellowing.

Readings are as follows: (after water change)
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0-5ppm
Phosphate: 5ppm+
K:??
Nitrite: 0ppm
PH: 7.0
GH: 8deg
Kh: 9deg
c02: ~20ppm
temp:78
Fish load minimal: (4 Cardinals, Pleco, and a Cory)


Problem here is obviously the Phosphate!! I tested my tap water and it
came back zero. Then I did a test in the tank (after the water
change), and it was off the scale?!! I dont get it! Something is
really leaking Phosphate into my tank...and I dont know what? I have
fertilizer spikes under the plants which have Phosphate in them, but
they are way under the gravel and are never disturbed.

Someone told me that Activated Carbon in your filter releases
Phosphate, but I found that hard to believe as Activated Carbon is
supposed to suck up nutrients rather than release them right???

I'm really stuck on this one! Can anyone give a list of possible
sources of Phosphate, that I might not be considering. At present, I
am not dosing any ferts, and havent since start up. The phosphate just
magically appears for no reason!

Thx in advance,
Nick.