It's a question of phate... phosphate, that is.
It's a question of phate... phosphate, that is.
In the past, I have measured phosphate using a Hagen test kit. Unfortunately the kit jumps from zero to .25, which isn't very helpful.
Hair algae and diatoms are now under control, but I am seeing growth in what I think is Bryopsis (see videos in previous posts). I have decided to attack suspected phosphate that is not being controlled by water changes or Chaeto in the acrylic sump.
First, I will dump the Hagen kit, replacing it with a Hanna Instruments Phosphate (LR) Photometer with 890 nm LED:
Quoting Hanna's specifications: "Phosphates in a reef aquarium can be very detrimental to coral growth. It is recomonded Phosphates levels be kept below 0.03ppm. Most test kits will not read as low as 0.03, howerver the Hanna Instruments Photometer will read down to 0.01, providing the acuracy needed for maintaining a SPS tank."
The meter should arrive today, at which time I will obtain a reading in the system, to establish a baseline PO4 reading.
After getting the baseline number, I will put a TLF Model 550 Phosphate reactor on line. It will be mounted on the acrylic sump, using a MJ400 to feed the reactor:
At the same time, I will be slowly increasing MG from 1350 to 1600+/- using Tech-M, that old favorite of Algae Slayer (a mythical slime fighter often found here on RC).
We'll conduct our own test to see if the unknown "impurity" in Tech-M causes Bryopsis to simply "melt away"... I should be so lucky.
Tune in tomorrow for the latest adventures of Algae Slayer :strooper:
LL
It's a question of phate... phosphate, that is.
In the past, I have measured phosphate using a Hagen test kit. Unfortunately the kit jumps from zero to .25, which isn't very helpful.
Hair algae and diatoms are now under control, but I am seeing growth in what I think is Bryopsis (see videos in previous posts). I have decided to attack suspected phosphate that is not being controlled by water changes or Chaeto in the acrylic sump.
First, I will dump the Hagen kit, replacing it with a Hanna Instruments Phosphate (LR) Photometer with 890 nm LED:
Quoting Hanna's specifications: "Phosphates in a reef aquarium can be very detrimental to coral growth. It is recomonded Phosphates levels be kept below 0.03ppm. Most test kits will not read as low as 0.03, howerver the Hanna Instruments Photometer will read down to 0.01, providing the acuracy needed for maintaining a SPS tank."
The meter should arrive today, at which time I will obtain a reading in the system, to establish a baseline PO4 reading.
After getting the baseline number, I will put a TLF Model 550 Phosphate reactor on line. It will be mounted on the acrylic sump, using a MJ400 to feed the reactor:
At the same time, I will be slowly increasing MG from 1350 to 1600+/- using Tech-M, that old favorite of Algae Slayer (a mythical slime fighter often found here on RC).
We'll conduct our own test to see if the unknown "impurity" in Tech-M causes Bryopsis to simply "melt away"... I should be so lucky.
Tune in tomorrow for the latest adventures of Algae Slayer :strooper:
LL
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