I have a rather confounding question. Since I got a 'reliable' phosphate tester, they have read on the high side , 0.055 - 0.3ish. Everything else has been pretty stable.
Nirate: 2.5 - 5
Alkalinity: 11.5
Calcium: 450 - 460
Magnesium: 1400 - 1450
I've been having really bad algae since going on vacation about 2 months ago and leaving the tank care with our house/dog sitter. Over the last two weeks, I've increased my water changes to 2-3 8-10% changes a week, siphoned and cleaned the sump and sandbed regularly (it's about 1/2" on average) and have increased diligence in scrubbing rocks, collecting the algae in a sponge and filter socks and removing them right away. Two days ago, the algae on the sandbed and glass pretty much vanished and the rocks are looking cleaner than I've seen in a long time. I've actually never been more happy with the way the tank is looking.
Now I'm feeling pretty darn proud of myself for getting rid of the algae and getting the phosphates under control (I assumed). I did a test last night to see where I got it and it literally read off the chart on the Hannah ULR Phosphorous checker. It was late and I had a few drinks so I figured I messed up the test and did another one this morning. It read 198 ppb or 0.607ppm. I did another test with the other cuvette and got the same reading. Does this make any sense? I am thinking something is wrong with the tester but it's been reasonably reliable.
Thoughts?
Nirate: 2.5 - 5
Alkalinity: 11.5
Calcium: 450 - 460
Magnesium: 1400 - 1450
I've been having really bad algae since going on vacation about 2 months ago and leaving the tank care with our house/dog sitter. Over the last two weeks, I've increased my water changes to 2-3 8-10% changes a week, siphoned and cleaned the sump and sandbed regularly (it's about 1/2" on average) and have increased diligence in scrubbing rocks, collecting the algae in a sponge and filter socks and removing them right away. Two days ago, the algae on the sandbed and glass pretty much vanished and the rocks are looking cleaner than I've seen in a long time. I've actually never been more happy with the way the tank is looking.
Now I'm feeling pretty darn proud of myself for getting rid of the algae and getting the phosphates under control (I assumed). I did a test last night to see where I got it and it literally read off the chart on the Hannah ULR Phosphorous checker. It was late and I had a few drinks so I figured I messed up the test and did another one this morning. It read 198 ppb or 0.607ppm. I did another test with the other cuvette and got the same reading. Does this make any sense? I am thinking something is wrong with the tester but it's been reasonably reliable.
Thoughts?