algea problem

[mat8764070]

I have a 125 gal tank and I have a little problem; I have no idea what is making my phosphates elevate, but its causing algea blooms making my tank look terrible...what can I do???

 

[tacks]

Have you checked your water source yet??? Are you using RO/DI??? Is this a new tank? We need a little more info in order to help.
Welcome to the board...

 

[mat8764070]

This tank was setup about 2-3 months ago...ro/di? what is that, lol...my water source?...

 

[oceanblue]

do you just use tap water to fill/mix the tank with?

 

[mat8764070]

wait, i know what that means, and i'm using neither...i'm using conditioned tap water (aqua plus)

 

[mat8764070]

Does this mean that I need a reverse osmosis filter for my water??...

 

[ocellaris_keeper]

Matt,
Do you have a Safeway nearby - they sell reverse osmosis water at about 68 cents a gallon. A decent RO/DI filter can make about 10 gallons per day for about $125.00 if the gallon jugs from Safeway become a bother. After you do about 10-12 water changes the Ro/DI filter will pay for itself
Brewski

 

[rmdavis]

if there is anyplace around near you that sells drinking water... such as water coolers and such as that you might check with them I buy my r/o water from one here and pay like 39 cents a gallon....
just an idea

 

[mat8764070]

but is reverse osmosis goign to help my problem above?

 

[fender]

Depends if the source of the phosphates is your tap water. Have it checked.
Some of the sources of phosphates in a typical tank:
1.) Water (Tap water)
2.) Salt Mix (Don't buy cheap no name)
3.) Food Some flake foods have high phosphate contents
4.) Cleaning the tank with a detergent containing phosphates before setup.

 

[tacks]

Well said fender,
You need to have your "conditioned water" checked so you will know what to filter out.
For example, my tap water had a very high amount of silicate. Just a regular RO would not have taken care of this problem. I had to go with a Hi-S model for silicate removal. Have your water tested and go from there.

 

[mat8764070]

That works, thankyou!