I'm having a fairly serious phosphate problem and understand that the source should be the target so I'll not be exploring chemical options. Phosphate was at 2 last checked and nitrates only 10.
1. I have a fuge but it is only 1 month old in that I transferred it's contents into a slightly larger HOB fuge. My chaeto looks very green and healthy but I'm not getting much growth from it. Currently there are 2 led light strips (4X1W 10000K) on it and I plan to add a 3rd. I recently added these to replace an 18w mini aqualight with CF's that was getting really hot. There's also a fresh bag of Chemi pure in there and I just removed a phoszorb bag that was in there for 2 weeks. Anyway, the point is I don't think I'm getting much export from it yet.
2. I have a standard Remora skimmer that only gives me 1/2 cup of skimmate MAX every 2-3 weeks. I'm investigating adjusting the newly discovered adjustable screw to see if I can increase performance. I'm skimming very wet....reservoir pushed all the way down. I'm considering mods but am skittish about that.
3. I perform 10 gallon RO/DI (0 TDS) water changes weekly without fail. If my RO/DI TDS is 0 does that mean phosphates are being removed and I needn't consider it a source of phosphates in my tank? I have a new seifert phosphate test kit but have heard the are so off that there's almost no point in testing? I use Instant Ocean salt and maintain at 1.025.
4. I'm now washing ALL frozen food and have reduced feeding to 3 times per week. I feed mysis, shrimp pellets, alage tabs & Spectrum THERA+ by New Life until I feel confident about my research into which foods contain the least phosphates. DIY maybe?
I really don't have a ton of algae growth at all...a tiny bit of HA on the rocks that never goes away but doesn't seem to spread. My snails take care of the glass for the most part. I did however see my first small, isolated patch of cyno on the sand and gently turkey basted it out. I don't see any on the rocks.
It's a 30 gallon hex with 2.5 gal refuge, 150W MH (6hrs pday) , actinics (5hrs pday), 2 koralia nano's burried behind opposing sides of the reef drawing a current from behind the reef. There's another up near the surface that is pointed at the front glass to create current on the sand bed now. I will probably upgrade that PH to a Koralia 2. I'm considering a GFO from Bulk Reef but am really hesitant to add more equipment to the display.
Obviously ( i hope) I'm looking for feedback on my approach to attacking my phosphate problem and any other advice.
Thanks all.
1. I have a fuge but it is only 1 month old in that I transferred it's contents into a slightly larger HOB fuge. My chaeto looks very green and healthy but I'm not getting much growth from it. Currently there are 2 led light strips (4X1W 10000K) on it and I plan to add a 3rd. I recently added these to replace an 18w mini aqualight with CF's that was getting really hot. There's also a fresh bag of Chemi pure in there and I just removed a phoszorb bag that was in there for 2 weeks. Anyway, the point is I don't think I'm getting much export from it yet.
2. I have a standard Remora skimmer that only gives me 1/2 cup of skimmate MAX every 2-3 weeks. I'm investigating adjusting the newly discovered adjustable screw to see if I can increase performance. I'm skimming very wet....reservoir pushed all the way down. I'm considering mods but am skittish about that.
3. I perform 10 gallon RO/DI (0 TDS) water changes weekly without fail. If my RO/DI TDS is 0 does that mean phosphates are being removed and I needn't consider it a source of phosphates in my tank? I have a new seifert phosphate test kit but have heard the are so off that there's almost no point in testing? I use Instant Ocean salt and maintain at 1.025.
4. I'm now washing ALL frozen food and have reduced feeding to 3 times per week. I feed mysis, shrimp pellets, alage tabs & Spectrum THERA+ by New Life until I feel confident about my research into which foods contain the least phosphates. DIY maybe?
I really don't have a ton of algae growth at all...a tiny bit of HA on the rocks that never goes away but doesn't seem to spread. My snails take care of the glass for the most part. I did however see my first small, isolated patch of cyno on the sand and gently turkey basted it out. I don't see any on the rocks.
It's a 30 gallon hex with 2.5 gal refuge, 150W MH (6hrs pday) , actinics (5hrs pday), 2 koralia nano's burried behind opposing sides of the reef drawing a current from behind the reef. There's another up near the surface that is pointed at the front glass to create current on the sand bed now. I will probably upgrade that PH to a Koralia 2. I'm considering a GFO from Bulk Reef but am really hesitant to add more equipment to the display.
Obviously ( i hope) I'm looking for feedback on my approach to attacking my phosphate problem and any other advice.
Thanks all.
