Too much algae, phosphates high in reef, possible solutions?

[JLAudio]

I currently have a beutiful 110 gallon reef tank, lots of polyps, lps, shrooms, anemones. Id like to step up to sps, however, my phosphates arre to high! My nitrates are almost undetectable on instant ocean tests, and aquarium pharmaceuticals. All other parameters are good, i.e. amm, nitrite, calcium 400, alkalinity 11 dkh.

so my assumption on my algae blooms is my phosphates, and my 4 mos. old MH lighting system, with 2 250 MH's. My phosphates are high, probably because i only use DI water, and not rodi.

Should I use rodi, or should I get a phosphate reactor?

any thoughts?

 

[jag10016]

Use the the rodi and do a big water change like 40%, then be consistent and do normal water changes. In a month or so you should see a decrease in phos and a over all more healthy tank.

 

[Bob 1000]

Coralife phosphate remover will do the trick in 8 hrs.. Use ro after...2 half gallon size containers of phosphate...The End...

 

[jag10016]

All that quick fix stuff wont work ! IMO !

 

[reefman]

Should I use rodi, or should I get a phosphate reactor?
any thoughts?

Yes n Yes.
fighting the algea bloom is the least of your problems. u also need to think about getting something to maintain ca/alk levels(ie.ca reactor,doser).

btw:post some pics of your system and tank. u can get more accurate advice if people r familar with your system.

 

[masterswimmer]

Get a Phosban Reactor and run Phosban. Most successful sps keepers would be happy to chime in with their support.

 

[Bob 1000]

Hey, hey, whoa.... I'm not a new jack... And if he wants phosphate levels to stay low, I don't just say phosphate remover and thats that... Good husbandry is a big part of it. I just don't repeat what I've read earlier in the thread if I can help it....And I used phosban and if you ask me that shhh sucks in a big system it only works for 3 weeks unlike the label says....Unless you have a small tank with no fish (very little fish ) that's all it wiull be is a temp solution...I've ran a system with big fish not blennies, gobies and small wrasse... When I started using Coralife phosphate remover my levels remained low..Low enough to start a reef with 6 big angels, 2 med to large, and 3 large tangs...So in conclusion temp solutions can be the start of good thing...

 

[carpediem212]

I've got a Phosban reactor and no detectable Phos, Algae bloom is keep to a minimum from it. The little that is there supports my Turbos.

 

[ShaunW]

RO/DI is a must for SPS, and for any successful reef for that matter.

A phosphate reactor or sock containing GFO is a must even if your phosphate reads zero on the test kits.

High Flow, such that the fish battle to swim.

Powerful skimmer.

Alot of light! more so than for other types of reefs.

This is just the beginning requirements.

Before taking someones online advice see if they can keep an SPS tank by looking at their tank pic.

Here is some of mine:

 

[manyfish]

sobby ,I tip my hat to you

 

[JLAudio]

thanks everyone! I use the esv 2 part system to keep my alk and calcium balnaced. I have good lighting (2) 250's, and a decent coralife super skimmer.

I actually have a seachem 35 gpd rodi system that needs new filters and perhaps other parts to make it effective (im going to go to lfs and talk to seemingly more knowledgable people about this.

I am using the phosphate remover media in my tank, but will buy a reacto for this, because i dont think the media is enough

 

[JLAudio]

 

[Wes]

one side note...

using just a DI will give you the same quality water a RO/DI will...You will just use up the DI resin alot faster if it is not prefiltered through the RO portion. The RO part of the RO/DI simply saves you money in DI resin over the long run.

 

[JLAudio]

wow wes, thanks thats good to know.

 

[Bob 1000]

Sollby, that's a beautiful tank... I hope in a couple of months my reef from frags will reap such bounty...That's why I'm starting from frags... I got a lot of frags and some colonies in desperate need of help from others on this site and all are coming back beautifully, some were white when I got them...Good husbandry is a major part of this hobby I agree...I just say that a temp solution can be a start of a bunch of other good habits...

 

[reefman]

Before taking someones online advice see if they can keep an SPS tank by looking at their tank pic.

great tip!
a quick click to their gallery is all it takes. :biggrin: