Mlivvy....phosphates in Corrapet

[Jgoal55]

I think you were right.

While things have been fine in my tank, I am getting pockets of red slime/cyano on my sand bed and my phosphates are elevated even with weekly water changes and GFO.

I can't think of another reason so I might be going down the same path you did. Going to start siphoning sand out with water changes....not fun.

Obviously, I'll do it little by little.

As for the replacement sand, does anyone have thoughts on black sand? What does it look like months later?

 

[mlivvy]

sorry man. I've scooped it almost all out. I purchased a bag of black sand and never used it. Don't really like the look. The nice bright sand brings out the colors more in the tank.

I'm thinking of getting this.. http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/TE-TE03616R30.html

Or maybe just the regular caribsea.

 

[rovster]

Maybe it just needs to cook a little longer?

 

[nivram]

Maybe it just needs to cook a little longer?

+1

Bobby has it in his tank and no algae issues.

If you really want to leave it in there, maybe lanthanum chloride can help.

 

[Jgoal55]

Actually, I realized today that I screwed up my phosphate test and I did it twice again today to make sure. Sure enough, 0.00 phosphates according to the Hannah. Didn't feel like testing nitrates tonight so ill do it tomorrow, but something is causing those algae pockets.

Back to what was said though, the tanks been running for a solid three months now. The sand was dry but I used a "live sand" bag to kick start the cycle. How much longer do you think it would need to cook?

 

[rovster]

Actually, I realized today that I screwed up my phosphate test and I did it twice again today to make sure. Sure enough, 0.00 phosphates according to the Hannah. Didn't feel like testing nitrates tonight so ill do it tomorrow, but something is causing those algae pockets.

Back to what was said though, the tanks been running for a solid three months now. The sand was dry but I used a "live sand" bag to kick start the cycle. How much longer do you think it would need to cook?

Your tank is new. Took several months for my nano to settle in a groove and for all the unwanteds to go away. I've noticed a lot of people in the hobby have knee jerk reactions to these things and blame the first thing they see. I'm no pro, but I know patience and diligence solves most problems.

 

[mlivvy]

I blamed the sand because I know what a cycle looks like and I had patches of crap growing on just the sand. The phos was out of control too which isn't normal even if you are cycling. Sure enough as soon as I pulled half the sand out the phos dropped but the areas that still had the sand were covered in green/brown algae. I've had to test a few times too to get an accurate reading even with a hanna.

 

[rovster]

I blamed the sand because I know what a cycle looks like and I had patches of crap growing on just the sand. The phos was out of control too which isn't normal even if you are cycling. Sure enough as soon as I pulled half the sand out the phos dropped but the areas that still had the sand were covered in green/brown algae. I've had to test a few times too to get an accurate reading even with a hanna.

Cyano tends to grow on sand. When I first started my tank, thats where it grew. If you see pics of newish tanks, its usually the sand that looks worst. Not doubting that the sand is leaching something, but I think that unless you go barebottom, the substrate will leach something until its exhausted.


Right now I'm trying to recover from an RO filter mishap/oversight. I was pumping in 100TDS water into my tank. Cyano started growing on the sand, among other places. In my experience, just do quality water changes and let it ride. If you like the way it looks, I would just leave it and expect to deall with this for a few months. JMHO of course!:fun2:

 

[Jgoal55]

Im gonna give the sand a little bit longer and see if I can beat this down with patience. Right now Im struggling with nitrates which are hovering at 25. I think that's causing more algae issues than the phosphates which according to the hannah (and double checked with Slaifert) are still at 0. Of course, that could just mean the algae is sucking up enough phosphates to make it undetectable right?

 

[rovster]

Just ride it out. It took like 3 months when I first started with my tank (which was already running BTW).

 

[AquamanE]

just ride it out.

1+

 

[Rogger Castells]

I have never started a tank and not go through what I call an "ugly period" in which you get algae and cyano bacteria blooms.
It is what you do regarding this issues what will determine the outcome, normally I use excessive natural predation to control excessive algae blooms and for cyano I normal work with flow and keeping the nutrients low, sooner or later if you are consistent clean sand will prevail and algae in rocks is replaced with nice eye pleasant coraline, have patience!

 

[Jgoal55]

yup, thats what im hoping for but this one has gone on longer than the rest it seems.

 

[mlivvy]

All my nuisance algae is gone. Got rid of most of the sand, added a tlf reactor with rowaphos, and im running chemipure elite. Added a CUC turbos and nass snails. I do 10-20% water changes every 2 weeks and so far so good. I still dont think it was a normal cycle due to the highly elevated phos levels so im still pointing fingers at the sand.

 

[FoxInSox]

Cyanobacterium typically thrives in anoxic conditions and on inorganic P04. Increase the water movement, aeration and consider running activated carbon.