Phosphate level high

[Marie]

Just got a test kit for my pond. Everything tested perfect but phosphate. It was a little high. Is it anything to worry about?

 

[morewater]

What's a "little high"?

You didn't offer much information, so any reply would be vague.

What's the value? How old is the pond? What's in it? Do you have an algae bloom? If so, is it filamentous or suspended? Do you have runoff issues? How many fish? How often do you feed them? Do you have marginal plants, water lilies? Do you get runoff into the pond? What's your filtration system? What's your geographical location?

 

[Marie]

Phosphate level is 1.0. First year for pond. Problems with algae, not string type. No run off issues. Have 8 koi, 3 shubunkins. 20 baby shubunkins which we are rehoming. Have water lilies, but not much coverage. No runoff into pond. I believe filtering is called a "skippy filter". Live in Ohio, zone 5. Pond is in full sun.

What's a "little high"?

You didn't offer much information, so any reply would be vague.

What's the value? How old is the pond? What's in it? Do you have an algae bloom? If so, is it filamentous or suspended? Do you have runoff issues? How many fish? How often do you feed them? Do you have marginal plants, water lilies? Do you get runoff into the pond? What's your filtration system? What's your geographical location

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Yes, a Phosphorus level of 1.0 is high. Ideally <0.05 mg/L is the recommended max. A Phosphorus binder such as PhosOut or PhosLock used as directed will correct this problem.

 

[Mmathis]

@Marie This is just a suggestion, but it would help if you could go to your profile and add in where you live and your "zone." I think there is a place to add that as a separate factor. That way we don't have to ask every time -- we can look at your thing where your avatar is [whatever that part of a post is called....] and tell.

Also, what size is your pond -- how many gallons?