Scott
July 8th 05, 07:00 PM
A few months ago I started to change how often I clean the gravel in my
aquarium. I originally cleaned it once a week, I then changed to once a
month. which caused the phosphate level to rise from 1ppm to 2.5ppm. the
nitrate level remained the same at 2ppm. I also do a 25% water change every
two weeks.
Two months ago I changed it again and have not cleaned the gravel in that
time. partly to find out if it has got anything top do with the algae
problems that there have been since I have had they aquarium. As it is the
only thing left that I can think of that makes my aquarium different from
ones that do not suffer from problems with algae. So today I tested for
nitrate
which I was hoping to raise the levels of for my plants, and it is still at
2ppm. But the phosphate level has increased again to 5ppm, or maybe higher
as that's as high as the test kit goes. Which I know is five times higher
than the levels that can cause problems with algae.
The gravel still does not appear to need to be cleaned, as there is only a
small amount of visible sediment. But I am concerned because I have not
heard
of levels that high before. And think it may be unusually high for a tank
which has not had the gravel cleaned in two months. I have started to do
weekly water changes to lower the levels using 2.5ppm tap water, but I'm
also wondering weather changes may start to take place which will naturally
lower the phosphate level. As it seems strange that it doesn't happen to
more people. And this is the first time the gravel has been left alone for
this long???
aquarium. I originally cleaned it once a week, I then changed to once a
month. which caused the phosphate level to rise from 1ppm to 2.5ppm. the
nitrate level remained the same at 2ppm. I also do a 25% water change every
two weeks.
Two months ago I changed it again and have not cleaned the gravel in that
time. partly to find out if it has got anything top do with the algae
problems that there have been since I have had they aquarium. As it is the
only thing left that I can think of that makes my aquarium different from
ones that do not suffer from problems with algae. So today I tested for
nitrate
which I was hoping to raise the levels of for my plants, and it is still at
2ppm. But the phosphate level has increased again to 5ppm, or maybe higher
as that's as high as the test kit goes. Which I know is five times higher
than the levels that can cause problems with algae.
The gravel still does not appear to need to be cleaned, as there is only a
small amount of visible sediment. But I am concerned because I have not
heard
of levels that high before. And think it may be unusually high for a tank
which has not had the gravel cleaned in two months. I have started to do
weekly water changes to lower the levels using 2.5ppm tap water, but I'm
also wondering weather changes may start to take place which will naturally
lower the phosphate level. As it seems strange that it doesn't happen to
more people. And this is the first time the gravel has been left alone for
this long???