Phosphate

[simonblack]

Can anyone tell me why i am getting very high phosphate levels?
i have a 16 gallon tank with a external fluval 104 filter. I complete weekly water changes with r/o water and keep on top of all uneated food and dead plant matter.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

How often do you rinse out the filter?

How much do you feed?

 

[Dragonslair]

Have you tested the water parameters for other substances?
Have you got a well planted aquarium?
Do you have algae?
Have you checked the phosphate levels in the r/o water?

It is rarely just one substance that peaks without a counter reaction from other substances. Some plant fertilisers will produce as a by product phosphate. You need a basic knowledge of water chemistry to find out exactly what's going on.
Is your water crystal clear or is it a little dull? As TCA asks, how often is the filter cleaned? Has the bacteria had a chance to develop and do their job?
A lot of unanswered questions.

 

[simonblack]

Thank you for your reply

I feed the fish everyother day with a mixture of either bloodworm or flakefood with sinking catfish pellets.

The set up is well planted but not over done.

I recently cleaned the filter and do so about once a month, i also add nutrafin cycle to promote the bacteria, but is there ans alternative to this to speed things up a little?

All other levels are withing nominal tolerance, somebody mentioned it might be the use of plant fertiliser causing this.

Is this high level of phosphate dangerous to the fish?

 

[Dragonslair]

Not particurarly dangerous to fish in itself, but it will create a home for hair algae, which is terrible stuff to eradicate. When you do try to kill it off, the decomposition will cause your tank to unbalance and that in itself will give really bad water quality. So prevention is better than cure.