Best way to remove phosphates
- Thread starter jaydub74
- Start date
mile sq. reefer
New member
Why is it in most threads you reply to its everyone else but you. I'm starting to see a pattern. Just call it like I see it. What is "CUC" ? I ll have to check the acronym listings. I must have missed that too. I did check it and "CUC" is not there.
In terms of replying to threads is quality not quantity. You can post 1000 times with BS and it does not change the fact that you do not know what you are talking about. Make sure when you read this last paragraph, it is a generalized reference on the "you".
Again I have to say, Be wary of those who offer advice and do not show the fruits of their labor.
In terms of replying to threads is quality not quantity. You can post 1000 times with BS and it does not change the fact that you do not know what you are talking about. Make sure when you read this last paragraph, it is a generalized reference on the "you".
Again I have to say, Be wary of those who offer advice and do not show the fruits of their labor.
demonsp
In Memoriam
You know im sorry but your the one to point it out.And in a way to discredit me. I feel i have to defend myself just from your response.Not because i have to make a point.Most repleys are more from experiance then fact as hpw many used 2 or 3 skimmers and lost fish or coral in your manner.Theres many differances and every repley should be welcomed and concered.Please correct spelling.
miwoodar
Likey the bikey
I have the remote in my hand - I'm turning up the volume!
Just kidding - no need to feel on the defense my friend. Just because you *know for sure* what CUC means doesn't mean you should put us down. (Actually, I'm MUCH more concerned about folks like the 2-year guy above who are trying to get a foot hold in the hobby.) We're not trying to take away from your knowledge base. We're trying to integrate yours and ours and everyone else's reefing methodologies so readers can make informed decisions. There are no winners or losers. IMHO.
Just kidding - no need to feel on the defense my friend. Just because you *know for sure* what CUC means doesn't mean you should put us down. (Actually, I'm MUCH more concerned about folks like the 2-year guy above who are trying to get a foot hold in the hobby.) We're not trying to take away from your knowledge base. We're trying to integrate yours and ours and everyone else's reefing methodologies so readers can make informed decisions. There are no winners or losers. IMHO.
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How about getting back on topic guys.
If you can remember the last few points made regarding the original thread...
Increased flow helps with some types of algae but, in my experience, it has not helped with green hair algae.
I agree that "cooking" the rocks is a temporary solution and brings with it the potental for other problems as you are essentially killing your live rock and could mess up the biological balance in the tank. I would certainly not recommend it prior getting the phosphate level down or, as was pointed out, the algae will probably just come back. A less drastic measure is to take the rocks out and physically scrub the algae off with a scrub brush and/or toothbrush. I used to do this in the extra water left over after a water change. Rinse well before returning the rocks to the tank.
I second the question. What's a polyfilter? I thought I knew the answer to this question but I can't figure out how that would extend the life of the gfo.
If you can remember the last few points made regarding the original thread...
Increased flow helps with some types of algae but, in my experience, it has not helped with green hair algae.
I agree that "cooking" the rocks is a temporary solution and brings with it the potental for other problems as you are essentially killing your live rock and could mess up the biological balance in the tank. I would certainly not recommend it prior getting the phosphate level down or, as was pointed out, the algae will probably just come back. A less drastic measure is to take the rocks out and physically scrub the algae off with a scrub brush and/or toothbrush. I used to do this in the extra water left over after a water change. Rinse well before returning the rocks to the tank.
I second the question. What's a polyfilter? I thought I knew the answer to this question but I can't figure out how that would extend the life of the gfo.
miwoodar
Likey the bikey
I thought cooking was generally considered a long term solution, no? Nobody is talking about putting them on a stove in a pan of water. The idea is that you isolate your problem rocks in a stand alone system. Typically this is a no-light situation so they can't possibly grow any algae (ie, a bucket or trash can). You would do water changes and maintain the rocks with the hope of getting any phosphates that have bound to the rocks to leach back into solution. Once in solution, they will be carried away by your diligent water changes.
Here are two examples:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=437342
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=485572
Polyfilter = filter floss of some kind (often a bag that water runs into to catch detritus).
Here are two examples:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=437342
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=485572
Polyfilter = filter floss of some kind (often a bag that water runs into to catch detritus).
downhillbiker
New member
cooking is a long term treatment, but takes a minimum of 4 months in a dark room in a different system. i have never cooked rock, and dont ever want to. that just seems like a lot of money to run that system and do water changes, for some rocks. i think a phosban reactor would be a more probable step before i cooked anything.
spleify
Premium Member
Ok now I am really confused, first off CUC means 'can u cook'. My answer was yes, so I put my rocks in a pot on the stove and "cooked " them. Now I hear miwoodar saying that's not what you do. Well All I gotta say is, it took care of all the hair algae I had.
CUC=Can u cook
cooking LR=not on the stove, I'm lost, demonsp, will you help me. As you seem to know so much with your high post count. With that many post you gotta know everything.
Oh yeah, I also run a phosban reactor, and I believe that helps to control it also. Just do some reading first. miwoodar has supplied us with enough links to answer most of the questions being asked here. Thanks Mike
Spleify
CUC=Can u cook
cooking LR=not on the stove, I'm lost, demonsp, will you help me. As you seem to know so much with your high post count. With that many post you gotta know everything.
Oh yeah, I also run a phosban reactor, and I believe that helps to control it also. Just do some reading first. miwoodar has supplied us with enough links to answer most of the questions being asked here. Thanks Mike
Spleify
I had heard about actually boiling rocks (~1/2 hour) to kill off the algae. I don't know if that is what was meant or not but that is what I was responding to. Your suggestion does sound more long term.
OK our definitions of polyfilter are the same. This must "extend the life of the GFO" just by keeping crud out of it? As apposed to extending it's chemically usefull life. Altough I suppose they are related.
OK our definitions of polyfilter are the same. This must "extend the life of the GFO" just by keeping crud out of it? As apposed to extending it's chemically usefull life. Altough I suppose they are related.
miwoodar
Likey the bikey
If you don't like to read....Reefcast discussed it in Episode 6 - June 6, 2006:
http://www.reefcast.com/downloads6.php
And just to confirm my dorkiness, I went ahead and looked up CUC...http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/CUC
http://www.reefcast.com/downloads6.php
And just to confirm my dorkiness, I went ahead and looked up CUC...http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/CUC
downhillbiker
New member
CUC is clean up crew. cooking rock is puting the rock in a dark garbage can or tank for 4 months to kill all phosphate sources. this is the only way to truly kill phosphates. cooking in boiling water is not the same. that helps, but isn't the same. cooking may not be the right term, but thats what they say.
downhillbiker
New member
no problem. as i stated before, i would use a phosban reactor before i spent all the time, and money to run, a cooking process for 4 months. plus you have to do water changes and heat, and protein skimmer, ect. just other methods that are more efficient money wise.
What people mean by 'cooking rock' is 're-curing rock' in dark bins. 'Cooking' is such an unfortunate term, and always leads to misunderstandings. I use that method on new imported rock, but would not do it with established tank rock. It does not work for algae removal LONG TERM if the same old tank regimen is used once it goes back in the tank. In other words, the algae will come back, and 4 months will be wasted.
Removing phosphates starts with limiting how much phosphate you add to your tank. Feeding is the most likely source. Rather than rush into an equipment solution like reactor your probably better off to solve (or at least limit) the problem with water changes and better control on tank feeding.
The phosphate is getting in the tank somehow, your better off finding out how, and removing the source.
Some people (me) have seen IMMEDIATE adverse reaction to corals when some phosphate removal pads or other products have been used, with IMMEDIATE improvement when they are taken out.
'Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank.' The best solutions are usually the slow steady ones.
nalbar
Removing phosphates starts with limiting how much phosphate you add to your tank. Feeding is the most likely source. Rather than rush into an equipment solution like reactor your probably better off to solve (or at least limit) the problem with water changes and better control on tank feeding.
The phosphate is getting in the tank somehow, your better off finding out how, and removing the source.
Some people (me) have seen IMMEDIATE adverse reaction to corals when some phosphate removal pads or other products have been used, with IMMEDIATE improvement when they are taken out.
'Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank.' The best solutions are usually the slow steady ones.
nalbar
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