Bacteria utilizing phosphate?

[Planoi]

I have seen a product that claims to be some kind of bacteria desgined to reduce phosphate. Does such bacteria exists?

[rshimek]

Hi Win,

All bacteria - ALL of them- utilize phosphate, as do all algae - so, if you add any of these organisms to a tank, they will in the simple process of normal living suck up and utilize phosphate.

It is important to realize that the phosphate is still in the tank. It hasn't been changed into anything else and it hasn't been removed from the tank, although it may be removed from the water - for the moment. Of course, the moment some of the bacteria die, they release the phosphate and you are back at ground zero.

Moral here... Don't believe the advertising hype.