Removing a sandbed - CYANO Covering week by week.

[JonnyJ]

Phosphate results on Hannah checker today. We tested 3x

First one was a little pre mature. I think it's somewhere around .40

.48
.34
.38



Since I have been Doing an excessive amount of water changes I immagine it was way higher. Maybe 2-3x the above results

 

[peteyboyny]

Like I said, once I started using RO/DI water all my cyano and hair algae problems stopped. Could be one of the culprits. Don't know how much if any of that sand bed is left, but that's gonna keep those phosphates trapped there.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

Phosphate results on Hannah checker today. We tested 3x

First one was a little pre mature. I think it's somewhere around .40

.48
.34
.38

Since I have been Doing an excessive amount of water changes I immagine it was way higher. Maybe 2-3x the above results

:type: :knockedou

 

[Jzhou]

what is your phos level from your tap?

 

[Mike389]

I completely agree, i am going to go ahead and remove the sand this week and add a reactor tomorrow.

I had a cyano issue and the phosphate reactor I bought solved the problem almost immediately

 

[JonnyJ]

I use RODI water. Have been since the tank cycled. That or distilled.

I'm sure that starting with regular tap water has contributed to my algae problems but I'll
blame it mainly on my sump. Tons of detritus was built up probably leeching into my water column.

Tomorrow I will remove more of my sand,Set up my new reactor with GFO and try to get a hold of a silicate test kit

 

[tangy84]

I had the same problem, Got 2 bullet gobies. no more cyano on the sand, and it's starting to disappear from the rock and the back glass as well. May be a coincidence.

 

[ReefnQueens]

Phosguard in a reactor for phosphates and silicates......make sure all other parameters are in check before using this product some state it can leech metals into the water eghhhh horse$h1t works wonders

 

[Mike389]

Phosguard in a reactor for phosphates and silicates......make sure all other parameters are in check before using this product some state it can leech metals into the water eghhhh horse$h1t works wonders

After a while gfo leaks iron into the water if not changed monthly

 

[Mike389]

When my macro algae starts growing like crazy I know it's time to change the gfo

 

[ReefnQueens]

After a while gfo leaks iron into the water if not changed monthly

I heard that before.... And took the advice from a good friend who has been using it for 10 years and hasn't had any problems with it..... Im using it for 2 months now and no macroalgae whatsoever 0 .....60 gal with coraline covered tonga wonga and bare bottom...... All the tonga branch I got was also from the same guys tank who reccomended the stuff...... Possibly a myth?

 

[JonnyJ]

Phosphates down to .25 from .48ish. sandbed from the shallow side is almost gone, by tomorrow ill have it all out.


pretty sure i have silicates in the tank as well but dont have a test kit atm.

 

[fishman1069]

Silicates would cause a heavy diatom bloom

 

[JonnyJ]

heavy its been, for months.

 

[fishman1069]

I hate to say it but maybe it has something to do with the materials you used to buldt he rock/waterfall??

 

[JonnyJ]

Hey,

Yes, it has crossed my mind many times. I read a lot on it and followed the "norm", noone else is having problems. I even spoke with the manufactures before i even started. Once cured everything is INERT. But you never know.

I'm removing some of the made rock and placing it in a bucket of RODI, along with an air stone. Then i will check phosphates and silicates [once i get a test kit] to see if it is in fact leaching anything.

Truth is, by running GFO i should be able to get everything into acceptable ranges and then see how it goes from there

 

[fishman1069]

Thats a good idea. The only thing im wondering is if the foam can retain phos or silicates and then leech them out. I know that foam has been used in many tanks, but Ive been following your threads about this problem and its the only thing I come up with. Good luck with everything!