DEEP DIVE: The Phosphorus Cycle In Freshwater Aquariums & Ecosystems. Phosphates, Plants & Algae!

Phosphorus comes in many organic and inorganic forms and is absorbed by plants in the form of phosphate (PO43-), or, more exactly speaking, of the dihydrogenous phosphate ion (H2PO4-) and the hydrogenous phosphate ion (HPO42-).
Phosphorus plays a decisive role in the metabolism of all living things - it regulates the intracellular energy balance (energy carrier adenosintriphosphate, ATP) and biological cellular processes by phosphorylating proteins, and it is a part of nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) and the cellular membrane (phospholipids).
In the aquarium, phosphate is released by degrading waste, food and plant rests. In tanks with vigorous plant growth and a low number of fish that are sparingly fed, these phosphate sources are often insufficient, and inorganic phosphate has to be added (salts like monopotassiumphosphate, KH2PO4).
Phosphate plays a key role in many terrestrial and aquatic biotopes in nature, as it is often the minimum in relation to other macronutrients. Thus the amount of phosphate available is decisive for how much biomass is produced..
About 10-15% of the biologically
available phosphorus is taken up by the biota with the rest being sequestered in the sediment or in the litter or detrital material.The ability of wetland to store phosphorus is largely dependent on the amount of aluminum and iron that is present with a high absorptive capacity for phosphorus when in high concentrations.
This involves the release of phosphorus from sediment particles to the interstitial water and then to the overlying water column. This process is mediated by iron reducing bacteria that convert ferric (oxidized) iron to ferric (reduced) iron that releases the phosphorus.
Additionally, sulfate- reducing bacteria that reduce sulfur to sulfide which reacts with iron minerals can release the phosphorus.
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[@Fishtory]

The 15 minute Version with Graphics: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hH2cnI2Xa7yrbMk Thanks! ENJOY 😊

[@fishtropiccanada4747]

Hey do a episode on why shell fish and different types could harm you. Why !!!

[@richardbunt2278]

Hey Alex

[@Fishtory]

@@richardbunt2278 hey brother!

[@richardbunt2278]

Hey Alex build that pump

[@NaturebyGus]

Thanks. I think a good video will be one of Potassium too. I believe it is only introduced to the aquariums with water changes (if the water source contain potassium) and fertifilizers. Several experts in aquascape are saying that this should in reality be the only fertilizer we need to add to our aquariums, if they are well balanced and are producing enough nitrates and phosphorus on their own. In fact once I switched from an all in one fertilizer to Leaf Zone (containing only potassium and iron) I am getting way better results with my plants and less algae (no CO2).

[@Fishtory]

I say that also haha... well maaayyybe nitrates as well ....mayyyybe co2 if you wanna go wild lol. But yes, I will do one on potassium soon! Thank you

[@NaturebyGus]

@@Fishtory Yes but my point is that in well balanced tanks the nitrates produced by the bioload of the tank should be enough for the plants and as mentioned in my first message, I was talking about low tech tanks with no CO2, so the CO2 cycle is less relevant if we do not have control on low tech tanks and we should be using low tech plants. In that case, potassium and iron are probably the only two additional things we need to add to our low tech tanks (and perhaps some trace elements from time to time).

[@fishtropiccanada4747]

I knew the crawfish wouldn’t kill ya

[@Fishtory]

Good call hehe

[@beingL]

I enjoy the podcast format. Great for house cleaning.

[@Fishtory]

Yay! Thank you!

[@CrystalmarieGrz]

Watched the short video yesterday. Glad you made a long form video. And the fish tank is beautiful.

[@Fishtory]

Well thank you very much m. On both! HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

[@CrystalmarieGrz]

@@Fishtory you are welcome. Thank you for all the information. Have a wonderful week.

[@ProdigalAquarist]

Great work once again Alex! Your presentation helps connect all the dots. I now know quite a bit more about phosfates than I ever thought I would. I love the deep dives, as well as the shorter informative sessions. Just keep bringing it!

[@Fishtory]

Great to hear! This one snuck past everyone lol youtube decided it was too boring or nerdy I guess. But it took a long time to wrap my mind around and research...and honestly it's just more clarity for the whole aquarium and Ecological picture/ puzzle. I'm so glad some things clicked into your existing knowledge too... that's what I always enjoy most about learning new material. Cheers

[@natorsi]

I love this style of video from you and it’s really what has set you apart as one of my favorite KZbinrs. I’m obsessed with complex systems and you do such an excellent job of bringing home the interconnectedness of these processes, with examples, and without it feeling overwhelming! Absolutely love it, keep ‘em coming! Also, good luck with your tooth implant journey, I can’t imagine how hard that has been. Fight on fish friend 🥊 #Phosfate

[@TheFishyPlumber]

Love the deep dive on phosfate. Glad to see you feeling better as well, catch you on the next one!

[@Fishtory]

Appreciate it!

[@donnywolf9250]

Thanks for the video Alex. Just finished this video and your last two while I'm working at work.

[@jpl0202]

You are a great teacher!!!

[@Fishtory]

Wow, thank you!

[@FinsbyProductions]

I love watching the tanks while you talk. Honestly, i listen to you, while i do my own tank maintenance, so i think alot of the other stuff is unnecessary. Not to mention your tanks are amazing ❤

[@Fishtory]

Awesome, thank you!

[@sallopez5684]

Idk how I barely managed to find your channel but I’m glad I did Alex! You have great information that is thoroughly researched and that’s hard to find with everything on the web now a days !

[@Fishtory]

I appreciate that, and im so glad you're enjoying the channel!

[@kathleenhowell9362]

"Phosfate?" Well, I certainly enjoyed the in-depth chemistry explanation. Thanks so much for that. Before watching the shorter version of this yesterday, I'd never even heard of the phosphorus cycle.

[@Fishtory]

Glad to hear it! I hadnt heard much about it either

[@Fishtory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@FinsbyProductions]

Here we go! Im so ready ❤ 😊 thanks alex every topic every video gold!

[@Fishtory]

You're so welcome!

[@lukewang1997]

it's all in the name of growing more beautiful, healthy looking plants indeed

[@luevang4113]

Super informative! You're a natural at sharing knowledge and information!

[@Fishtory]

I appreciate that! Thank you so much for stopping by and dropping a comment.

[@KoroWerks]

Thanks for the deep dive Alex! Kept me busy while at work today! Dont want to add more work on your plate, but maybe a phosfate video partnering these long form deep dives that is like "practical applications of deep dive" in our hobby? That's pretty similar to the short form video you already made, so in this instance it may be redundant, but I think having a "regularly scheduled" short form video that pairs with the long form deep dives is important and good job thank you 🤣 Have a wonderful week, and thanks for all the hard work and days of your life researching these subjects for us!

[@Fishtory]

I like that idea also haha. Thanks for the idea!_

[@tara_james-bosch]

So glad that phos-fate brought me here! Great vid, great info, love detailed and well-explained content like this

[@Fishtory]

Glad you enjoyed! Welcome!

[@anga9495]

Really great information, ty! LOVE your living room aquarium! Beautiful, colorful... I'm jealous.

[@Fishtory]

Thank you

[@lindawirth3640]

Great Video Alex !! Love your Deep Dives !

[@Fishtory]

Glad you like them! Thanks for all your support

[@spoiledsushi7400]

Made it to the end-twice! Very informative.

[@Fishtory]

Cheers thanks

[@dellseasandoval8187]

I love every second of any content you create my friend. Keep up the good work. The more the better.

[@Fishtory]

Glad you enjoy it! Thank you kindly

[@courtneyspenguin]

Been looking forward to it since you posted about it. But apparently I’ve been spelling phosfate wrong lol. Always love the long nitty gritty topics!

[@Fishtory]

No worries my friend. Thanks for joining us!

[@jeffkane4391]

Loved it Alex ❤😊 #phosfate! It will be nice when you are able to upgrade your editing computer I am looking forward to that day! As I'm sure all of your viewers are. Even if you aren't using any fancy editing software with the over the top graphics inserted (I prefer not over the top) I still love the deep dive informational videos and greatly appreciate the effort you put into the research. P.S. I would rather see a fish tank over bell's and whistles 😉😊

[@Fishtory]

Haha thanks my friend. There were about 10 charts i photoshopped/edited and or took from textbooks for the short video, i wish had been on the long form video...anything more is just eye candy...plant time lapses and so forth ....erosion and timelapse clouds woulda been a nice touch

[@marybrooks9098]

I needed this information on phosfate. Thank you very very much!

[@naomiwaters]

Thanks Alex - enjoyed this deeper dive and it’s a good length. I appreciated how you related phosfate to current events, and also the cycle of our planet’s systems over the millennia. I also enjoyed the podcast format, I think that’s a great model for these deep dives going forward so we can be driving or doing tank maintenance etc while learning.

[@Fishtory]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your feedback as well!

[@nattheobald924]

good stuff on the ol phosfate, good background and reinforcement on the idea that deficiencies in one element or compound can limit uptake of other essential elements. as long as you're interested in the topic, it will probably be interesting to other tank people.

[@Fishtory]

Thank you for that insight. And thanks for joining us!

[@sq33qs]

Made it to the end. Excellent video, phosfate. I watch and listen during water changes. Mix it up Alex, long format and short format.

[@Fishtory]

Thanks 😊 you're a REAL ONE!

[@mr_seth]

I forget what the code word was, but I made it to the end. I will likely listen again! I loved the shorter version and the deep dive too.

[@Fishtory]

Haha thanks phos-fate ...it was dumb. But im so glad you found it interesting. Cheers

[@streettrash4220]

This is what I’m here for. Let’s get gritty!

[@Fishtory]

Thank you, my friend

[@unifiedvision999]

Dude once again, thank you for the advice. I was just beginning to kind of think I should look into phosphates lol

[@Fishtory]

Any time!

[@mtsanonymous]

PhosFate?... Vid was Great, Juicy info on a plate. Your Angel still Below the brim? Maybe give those plants a trim? PhosFate-a-licious Sunday Treat, FISHTORY research Can't be beat.. Like golden sands we're blown away By Alexander's Librar-ray 😅

[@Fishtory]

Hahahahaha whooooa. Epic. Thanks for that

[@wh0tube]

My shampoo is phosphate free! Thank you, very informative video 🙏 after years of fish and aquatic plant keeping fearing phosphates I’ve just started adding phosphates to my tanks as the plants had all stunted to miniature unhealthy specimens.

[@tincho6720]

Great info!

[@Fishtory]

Glad it was helpful! Have an awesome week

[@zenquarium]

Hi Alex, you always have an amazing wealth of information to share with us. Thank you! Also, I think you should teach earth sciences to students ... you would be amazing!

[@zenquarium]

PhosFater in the house 😅

[@Fishtory]

Maybe one day! Thank you kindly.

[@Mikinct]

When some use a dirted tank or organic potting soil or aquasoils that are very nutrient rich plus aot kf fish foods & fosh most often overloads are system & water columns of are tiny glass tanks that arent anywhere near size of ponds & lakes.

[@Fishtory]

Yeah if you only feed flake food full of preservatives, for sure it can climb up and out of control

[@zenquarium]

Thanks!

[@Fishtory]

Thank you so very kindly!

[@brute93]

Just the video I needed, I guess you could say it was (phos)fate 😆

[@Fishtory]

Whoa. You're a nerd 🤓 lol. Thank you

[@ninathompson6756]

Hello. First comment ever. I appreciate you.

[@Fishtory]

Hey, thanks 😊 right back at you.

[@ЮлияФролова-о5р]

Because of my English I need to see this video again to understand 100%, very interesting! Alex, I have always 0 phosphates in my tank! But if I add it - I finish with ciano batteries! But the test doesn’t detect phosphates! I’ve changed different tests. I can’t manage with frets for my tank. Can it be so!?

[@Fishtory]

Could be that you have a few parts per million, but your test isnt that sensitve. Most are not super accurate. But if your plants are growing well, its certainly in your system

[@ЮлияФролова-о5р]

I’m using jbl, these tests are rather accurate. But can aquarium survive without po4 ferts if I have enough of fish? For example about 100-120 small tetras in 300 lt tank with lot of plants?

[@Mikinct]

True but when we have fishes in our planted tanks we dont need to dose phosphates or nittogen. Fish food had phosphates & nitrogen.

[@Fishtory]

Thats my whole point of "feed your plants with fish food" ( via their poo) video that came out the next week. lol.

[@EuroGupper]

@fishstory Hello Alex How important is hard water? I have tried just about everything, and my plants still struggle. The only conclusion I can draw is that the hard water kills them If hard water causes my plants to struggle than the next step if something else is wrong is death

[@Fishtory]

Depends on ph and tds...some plants love hard water but still want a ph under 7.5 or so...almost no aquatic plants like 8.2 or higher alkalinity ...id work on the ph and then the tds perhaps.

[@EuroGupper]

@@Fishtory I am using CO2 to drop my pH to 6.8 You may be right. My plants started struggling when i did water changes and the CO2 was down. I have hard water + alkaline water Why i did water changes was because the Discus fish eat a lot (wanted to grow em faster)

[@dellseasandoval8187]

Nothing you do could be over the top. The longer the better.

[@JustSayNo2PDT]

Such solid information. Phos-FATE for life. ;-)

[@Fishtory]

Fate-GANG!

[@JustSayNo2PDT]

@@Fishtory we tune in for the fish, but we stay for the tribalism!

[@iainaquariumagic]

Very impressed 🐠🐟💦

[@Fishtory]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@AlecWatson-sj6mi]

What's a pyjama shark? Why is its breeding of interest? Thanks

[@dellseasandoval8187]

What’s the name of the fish channel with the guy in Florida or wherever he is that is like a trio for you, Father fish, & I want to say Luke, but it would be nice if you could tell me his channel because I want to tell my family about you being my first favourite, but at the same time I will be incorporating every word you say also with the father fish tanks while Luke is my third favourite, but you’re totally my first favourite with father First stuck in second place. You’re the best Alex. Here in Australia, there’s two guys that are pretty cool, but I always focus on you First. The other guy, Luke maybe 🤔 & maybe in Florida I wanted to tell my relatives about as well.

[@Fishtory]

Yeah lucas. Lrb aquatics

[@dellseasandoval8187]

@@Fishtory Thank you my friend.

[@mattbatcher802]

I read a book about the making of ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen, it involves high pressure and I think temperature. It is a good read, I forget the name but around the turn of the last century (1900’s). They were worried about food production and nitrogen supply for fertilizer. Well, it was the Germans that figured it out and after WW1 they had a factory occupied by the French and they complained about them hitting on the women and playing soccer in the garden, then they cut the bottom off a carriage and took the chest which contained all the inspections reports of the ammonia factory. Anywhoo… they were gathering nitrogen in as any form, from the island with tons of birds and guano, to desert sand with deposits of nitrogen. Truthfully I don’t buy the whole we are the pinnacle of humanity currently story due to the architecture of the past with star shaped coastlines and what not, that may very well not make sense but check out “my lunch break” on KZbin for the most concise explanation. The creeping Jenny is doing pretty good submerged so far, I don’t know if it will melt back in the transition from air to water but it’s substantially large I will send pics inshaAllah.

[@Fishtory]

Yeah That dude Haber was an evil dirtbag ...who ironically saved millions of lives...and will be responsible for millions more starving too.. crazy world

[@Mikinct]

This video is Per-Phosphorus

[@fishiemon64]

To much Phosfates not good right amount 👍

[@Finkeldinken]

Came right from the short version to here. Aww, yissss. I really appreciate your work. It's a really big help. I don't think the kind of people who are drawn to your channel will ever be overly attached to spiffy edits - they are a nice to have, not a need to have, and most of us understand priorities when it comes to big and necessary expenses. I am just happy to see you not putting your teeth behind getting a new computer, because I know from your streams that they bother you. You deserve so much to get that fixed and fixed well! ❤️‍🩹 We'll be perfectly fine while the rest gets sorted, I am sure!

[@Finkeldinken]

Also: phosfaaate!

[@Fishtory]

Aww thank you so much for your compassion and encouragement. Also thanks for the support and being such a possitive community influence.