Phosphate Réduction Question

[ocncheffy]

Heard something interesting about phosphate. If your having problems with higher phosphate and no or very little nitrate, introduce nitrate to help the PO4 reduction.

What are your thoughts on this? I’m currently having issues reducing phosphate but have zero nitrate, and this may be the solution.

 

[Cory]

Its a win/lose situation unless you've got a big clean up crew to eat any algae that will grow from adding no3. But whats your po4 level?

 

[Larry L]

I haven't done it but have heard of people having success with it. The idea is that if the bacteria and/or macroalgae that consume nitrates and phosphates are growth limited because there are no nitrates available, they won't be taking up phosphates either. So giving them some nitrates allow them to start growing again and take up both.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Heard something interesting about phosphate. If your having problems with higher phosphate and no or very little nitrate, introduce nitrate to help the PO4 reduction.

What are your thoughts on this? I’m currently having issues reducing phosphate but have zero nitrate, and this may be the solution.

If sources of nitrogen are very low they can limit the growth of organisms that will also consume phosphate.