Phosphate

The technical description of phosphate is that it’s an anion salt derived from phosphoric acid. What that means for us as Koi keepers is that there are two primary sources of phosphate we need to be aware of. The first and most important is source or tap water. The second is rain water and any run off that might enter our ponds.

Although its only an issue in terms of Koi health or filter performance at extreme levels, it is the indirect impact on our systems that perhaps its biggest relevance to us. The reason for this is that phosphate is an extremely effective algae fertiliser. It not only encourages the growth of algae in all its many and varied forms, but it is potentially especially problematic as its also a extremely effective fertiliser for the dreaded blanket weed or string algae.

While theoretically measuring it enables us to manage it, the big problem with phosphate is that our main resolution tactic is water changes. Thats fine unless the actual source/cause is tap water. Then we have to resort to other strategies, the most common of which is the good old veggie filter!

This stone age solution may well sound a bit archaic, and it is, but its also the most effective and in the absence of a chemical processing plant pretty much your only option! Fortunately excess phosphate to the degree where its going to cause real issues for most Koi Keepers is rare, but can be an occasional problem most often in the high summer, when pressure on utility supply companies is at its height.

It is important to be aware of the potential issues and, if this becomes a problem for you, help is always available at the Oaks Koi Farm so drop us a line, give us a call or better still drop in for a chat!