Usually appear during nitrogen cycle of new tank. Once the tank complete the cycle the both Ammonia and Nitrite became zero. Nitrate Nitrate is an end product of biological filtration. Perform nitrate test weekly and make partial water change regularly when concentration of ion rises above predetermined level. Phosphate Phosphate is a result of biological processes.
Foods also blame as a cause of phosphate accumulation.
Other sources of phosphate are salt mixes, tank additives and also tap water. Eliminating phosphate is effective means of algae control, some algae such as calcareous algae will grow excessively in over phosphate concentration tanks. Keeping aquarium clean by removing accumulated detritus on regular basis will help to lower phosphate. In a case of elevated phosphate concentration above 1.0 ppm. Calcium Natural seawater contains about 380 mg of calcium per Liter.