RE: [GSAS-Member] Algae control

["Hess, Clay A" <clay.a.hess@boeing.com>]

Dave,

Water changes?  Ummmmm, why would you do that if you were truly in
equilibrium?  Just kidding.  You are right...water changes are all good.
Soooo, the solution to pollution.....is dilution.  Is that the way it
goes?

Of course, in trying to obtain equilibrium from a water change your
solids will continue to disolve some more......dang, this is beginning
to look a lot like a vicious cycle.  

Clay


-----Original Message-----
From: Sanford, Dave LHS-STAFF [mailto:Sanfordd@issaquah.wednet.edu] 
Sent: Friday, March 18, 2005 10:25 AM
To: 'Greater Seattle Aquarium Society member chat'
Subject: RE: [GSAS-Member] Algae control


Hey Clay, it sounds like you forgot about doing regular water changes
which should dilute the phosphates, preventing the establishment of an
equilibrium with the P in the substrate. 
dave
____

The idea that one can "minimize leakage of phosphates into the water
column" is rather entertaining.  From my memory of the chemistry classes
I took in school, I would expect that any and all elements in a tank of
water will eventually reach equilibrium.  Now, if I was going to plant a
tank and only have it functioning for a short time I could see where
"buried deep in the substrate" might be an effective way to "minimize
leakage of phosphates into the water column".  However, since most of us
operate our tanks for more than a few weeks or months, I cannot see how
the "buried deep in the substrate"  plan of approach will work.  Within
weeks or months (and quite likely less time) I would expect all the
elements in a fish tank to reach some form of equilibrium regardless of
how "deep" one buries the elements.  

If you think about this, imagine trying to place a chlorine tablet
"deep" enough in your substrate to keep it from killing your fish
(please don't try this).  Likely that won't happen.  Now, I am not
proposing that phosphates will dissolve in water at the same rate as
chlorine.  Yet, as noted, over time (and we have lots of time)the
phosphates will dissolve and come to some equilibrium state throughout
the tank regardless of how "deep" one buries the material.  Of course,
this is assuming a standard aquarium, I suppose if one had infinite
depth to their substrate you could place the offending materials "deep"
enough to eliminate the threat in your, or your fishes, lifetime.

Soooo, there is my two cents worth.  I am not saying that the referenced
paper does not have some merit, simply that some of the logic it
provides could be a bit flawed.  Careful how you apply what you read.

Clay

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