Yesterday I tested my water and I found PO4 was at ridiculus level.
PO4 40ppm!!
NO3 20ppm
Fe 0.5ppm
The last test I done was about 3~4 weeks ago.
PO4 0.5ppm
NO3 10ppm
Fe 0.25ppm
I tested the test kit by getting reading from my tap water and some distill water. They turn out ok, so the test kit should be reliable.
I remembered adding some Horti plant tabs into the substrate about 2 weeks ago. I did some replanting last week (itchy fingers as usual). I checked the composition of the tabs and found it contains "soluble phosphate" while only part of the N is in the soluble form. I think that's why the PO4 shot up while the NO3 is still in the reasonable range.
Many would expect an outbreak of some algae like BBA. But, so far, there is no algae outbreak. In fact the plants are starting to have tremedous growth especially the Hydrocotyle while there is no sign speeding up of algae growth. And my Echinodorus ozelot is sending out a flower stalk to the surface.
According to the posts in the APD about algae vs plants, there should be little risk of algae outbreak if the plants are kept in healthy condition. I am keeping my tank in this way to see how things go. I would like to see if the P limitation theory can be thrown right out of window.
But you guys have any knowledge of side effects of excess PO4 on plants or fishes other than algae?
BC
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