Understanding PO?

[mnewsome]

I was battling hair algae for about 8 months and finally started using ROWA PHOS because I read high phosphates were my most likely culprit. So, I started using it at the beginning of Dec and a month later I saw a significant decrease in hair growth. A miracle! I was so happy to see something finally work. Anyway, I don't test for PO (I know that I should, but I haven't got a test kit yet), so now my tank is just starting to look so bare-I don't know how else to describe it. My feather dusters (I had only 2) are no longer coming out and it just has no new growth of other algaes. What I really want to know is, what part PO play in the growth of desirable algae. Do you think my PO are at zero and have affected everything else? I know it's difficult to say whats happened w/out testing. A good test kit recommendation would be appreciated. Maybe someone can also give me a good link w/info about this too. Thanks for any info.

 

[DJ88©]

[moved]

 

[SDguy]

This is a good article:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2002/chem.htm

Check out the Chem forum for other great info.

hth.