Description
What is Phosphate?
Phosphate is a major nutrient found principally in fish food to help with growth, good bone formation and many other biological processes. However, not all of the phosphate will be utilised by the fish and will be excreted as a waste product. It can also be generated by the breakdown of other organic matter and is also often present in tap water. While phosphate is beneficial for life, it is only required in small quantities.
Why test for Phosphate?
Increased phosphate in the water column is often a major contributor to the growth of nuisance algae. At low levels, it is generally considered safe for fish, but should be monitored for algae prevention. Higher concentrations of phosphate can start to interfere with the mineral balance within fish.
What is the correct phosphate level?
The ideal phosphate concentration should be as close to zero as possible. While some phosphate is desirable to aid with the healthy growth of higher plants, only trace amounts between 0 and 0.25 mg/L PO4-P are required.
What do I do if the Phosphate level is wrong?
In most instances, regular partial water changes with dechlorinated tap water should help to keep the phosphate low. Check the phosphate concentration in the tap water too to make sure phosphate isn’t being accidentally introduced. Algae Gone is a liquid solution that can be used to bind phosphate. Aquarium Phosphate Remover is a filter medium that has a high affinity for phosphate and can provide continual phosphate removal for 3 months (depending on phosphate load).
How do I do the test?
Ensure the test tube is clean. Take a 5 ml sample of aquarium water into the test tube. Add 5 drops of the phosphate reagent, place the cap on the tube and mix gently for a few seconds. Wait 5 minutes for the test to develop, remove the cap and look down through the test tube to determine the colour. Compare this colour to the colour chart provided to determine the phosphate concentration.
Click & Collect
Livestock will only be bagged once you arrive, or if you contact us in advance to request it ready beforehand.
Local Delivery
Order anything from our in-store range and have it delivered right to you.
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Minimum spend: £50
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Delivery up to 10 miles: £10
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Delivery up to 25 miles: £20
Distances are measured “as the crow flies”, not by road.
Once your order is placed, we’ll be in touch to arrange a suitable delivery date and time.
Please note, delivery may take a little longer as we often group orders together to build an efficient delivery run.
Important: If you’re ordering a large aquarium, please ensure someone is available to help unload the van on arrival.
Dry Goods Delivery
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DPD Next Day: 1 working day (order before 12 noon)
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DX Next Day (Heavy Items & Small Aquariums): 1 working day (order before 12 noon)
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Express Pallet: 1–3 working days
If you'd like to add more items to an existing order that hasn't yet been dispatched, please place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to combine the orders.
Please note: We currently only dispatch parcels Wednesday to Friday.
Pre-Order
Want the full details? Check out our Terms & Conditions.
Livestock Delivery
Thursday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Wednesday afternoon
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Delivered Thursday before 1pm
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Order by Wednesday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Friday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Thursday afternoon
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Delivered Friday before 1pm
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Order by Thursday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Saturday Delivery – £29
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Dispatched Friday afternoon
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Delivered Saturday before 1pm
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Order by Friday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
📦 Want to Add to an Existing Order?
No problem! Just place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to link it with your original one (as long as it hasn’t been dispatched yet).
🛒 Dry Goods Now Included!
You can now include dry goods in your livestock delivery – perfect for topping up supplies in one go.
❄️ Please note: We can’t send frozen food with livestock – please order frozen items separately.
⚠️ Delivery Exclusions
Unfortunately, we’re unable to deliver livestock to the following postcodes:
Scotland & Isles:
AB30–AB56, DD8–DD10, DG3–DG9, DG12–DG14, FK17–FK21, KA18–KA19, KA26–KA30, PA20–PA38, PA80, PH3–PH40
Cornwall Isles: TR21–TR25
All of the following postcodes are excluded:
BT, HS, IM, IV, JE, KW
Plus Channel Islands and Shetland Islands
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