Phosphates, pH, and Algae

[oscar]

Hey all,

I have a bit of a prob at the minute.

Where i live tap water comes at pH 7.4-7.6. I use Seachem Discus Buffer to bring the pH down to 7. Problem is this brings up the phosphate level and i'm starting to get algae growth :cry:

Can anyone offer some wisdom to help me maintain reasonable water and not have the algae?

[Stuart]

I don't know how it works over there but here we nearly all have to use Reverse Osmosis units. These produce almost pure water, to which we add about 20% dechlorinated tap water to help buffer it.

My tap water is pH 7.9-8.1 and after the R/O my guys love it.

[endless]

use the seachem ph down. It contains no phosphates at all

[duck]

Unless you are breeding discus, don't worry so much about the PH aslong as it's stable they will be fine.
I have 9 discus @PH of 7.4, 5 discus @PH 6.5,I don't see any difference they all are healthy.


Do have plant's?

[oscar]

Endless - Went and bought some on Saturday to give it a run.

Duck - Yeah i have plants.