Removing Phosphate

TomW · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 8

Does anyone know if a Diatom filter is capable of removing phosphate from
the water?

I plan on getting a RO/DI system eventually, but I'm looking for the best
short term solution to remove phosphates as I do water changes. My tank (75
gal) has both green hair algae and red scum algae. The phosphate level in
the tap water I'm using to mix has increased as summer has arrived. My plan
would be to run the Diatom on a 20 gal mix of new water prior to a water
change.

Any comments, thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

Archived from group: rec>aquaria>marine>misc

Richard Reynolds · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 268

nope wont touch it, at least direcly, it can remove things that will become phoshpate
eventually, but for phosphate that already is phosphate it wont help, while its FW there
are some phosphate pads and such you can use that do work very well, they "claim" to work
in SW but others and myself have had mixed results.

--
Richard Reynolds
Richard.Reynolds@usa.net

"TomW" wrote in message$32t$1@sulawesi-fi.lerc.nasa.gov...
> Does anyone know if a Diatom filter is capable of removing phosphate from
> the water?
>
> I plan on getting a RO/DI system eventually, but I'm looking for the best
> short term solution to remove phosphates as I do water changes. My tank (75
> gal) has both green hair algae and red scum algae. The phosphate level in
> the tap water I'm using to mix has increased as summer has arrived. My plan
> would be to run the Diatom on a 20 gal mix of new water prior to a water
> change.
>
> Any comments, thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.
>
>
>

Gerry · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

Diaton filters wont remove Phosphates. Id suggest a product such as Seachem
Phosguard instead.

cheers
Gerry Tan
Oceanlink Aquariums
http://www.oceanlink.com.au

"TomW" wrote in message$32t$1@sulawesi-fi.lerc.nasa.gov...
> Does anyone know if a Diatom filter is capable of removing phosphate from
> the water?
>
> I plan on getting a RO/DI system eventually, but I'm looking for the best
> short term solution to remove phosphates as I do water changes. My tank
(75
> gal) has both green hair algae and red scum algae. The phosphate level in
> the tap water I'm using to mix has increased as summer has arrived. My
plan
> would be to run the Diatom on a 20 gal mix of new water prior to a water
> change.
>
> Any comments, thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.
>
>
>

Aquatic-Care · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 22

TomW,

Use the product by Seachem "Phosguard". I use it on all of my
freshwater and saltwater customers. It really removes the phosphate. I would
also try and locate the source of the excess phosphate : water, excess food
etc..

Todd

--
Aquatic-Care aquarium services
Freshwater/Saltwater
Since 1993
www.aquatic-care.com