[dockjockey]

Hello plant gurus,

I was wondering if anyone knows of some plants that use a lot of phosphorus. Are there plants that affix phosphorus the same way that peanuts affix nitrogen. I got a pretty bad bloom of cyanobacteria, and other than lighting, phosphorus was the only other cause.

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[Hoppy]

Why do you think phosphate is the cause of cyanobacteria (blue green algae)? As far as I know, it isn't. Too little nitrates can be a contributor to BGA. Too much light also can contribute to it.

 

[dockjockey]

I was going off advice from lfs guy. I know I have a lot of light, but I was trying for that pretty red color from my plants like ludwigia. If it is low nitrates that might make sense. I'm trying my hand at a custom HMF built into a DIY background. I have a supplemental sponge in the corner for the time being, and it isn't stocked heavily. A handful of shrimp (6 cherries, 6 ghost) and 6 panda corys.

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[happi]

IME cyanobacteria occurs when you add too much Fe. if cyanobacteria already exist in the tank, PO4 will enhance its growth further.

 

[dockjockey]

I have some dirt capped with coal slag, but everything I read on the coal slag said it was pretty much inert. I can't think of much else that would release It high Fe into the water column. I'm thinking of just trying some maracryn, but my shrimp (got some dark red beauties) are already berried. I didn't want to do anything to upset them. I don't have another free tank to put then in either. I'm going to take out the corner sponge filter and treat with antibiotics. After some water changes and carbon, I'll stick the shoes back in for a filter.
I'm hoping to find the balance of keeping the nutrients put of the water to keep this from happening again. I don't dose yet, and my tap water isn't too high in nutrients. (As an aside I lived in German farm country for 7 years where the water was perfect. You could literally take it straight from tap to tank. A little high in copper from pipes, but that was it)

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