need advice/opinions

[katpurdy]

What are the options to remove phosphates when you don't have a phosphate reactor? I have a 55G with a 30G sump. I use NSW for the tank and "RO" from the grocery store for top off...it is a Culligan machine. In the sump I recently added a mesh bag of PhosBan; it is under the flow from the return of the overflow...I also have a mesh bag of carbon that is under the flow of the skimmer return which is a CSS220. For lights I have a 250W 12K reeflux MH and 2x 96W URI super actinics. I change the water(about 20G) every 2 weeks. In the sump I have a small to medium ball of cheato, and a red macro that people in my area call Tang Haven. For lights over the fuge there is a spiral PC of 27W. and for flow in the fuge there is an aqua clear 301. For flow in the main tank there is close to 3000gph. So how do I reduce the phosphates? I don't have a phosphate test to tell the levels, but the hair algae is starting to show on the upper rocks and there are some diatoms forming on the lower areas...I have a series of salifert tests on the way...but till then...the numbers don't really matter, the phosphates are present and need to go!! Any advice and input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ttomkat1]

Well, I really had no success with phosban in a media bag. Then I got a reactor and BAM instant help! I would check your levels and make sure it isn't nitrates instead. Store bought RO water can be suspect if the membrane is failing in their system.

Good luck...
---ttomkat1

 

[GMAX]

Got a refugium? Add some macro algae and a grow light. Problem will be solved unless you are overfeeding like a mad man.

 

[katpurdy]

part of the sump is a fuge...with cheato and a red macro

 

[GMAX]

Is macro growing and are you harvesting out handfuls on a regular basis? If yes you really should not have phosphate. But that store bought water could have it in it and if you are topping off with it maybe its a constant supply that outruns your macro removal rate.

 

[katpurdy]

nope...can't say that i have ever removed ANY of the macro...so why isn't it growing? the light? flow?

 

[GMAX]

Sometimes the macro is chelated iron limited. I put a capful of the stuff in the refugium about once a month. Is it getting lots of light from a grow bulb? Decent flow in the refugium?

 

[katpurdy]

the bulb is the same that a lot of other i know use and have huge growth...the flow is enough to push the macro into the corner...it's missing something though, because I have never pruned it...HELP!!!

 

[GMAX]

Try some iron. Does yur macro seems pale or yelowish?

 

[katpurdy]

the color is good...nice dark green...I find the cheato to be a slow grower to begin with...but the red macro I have been lead to believe to be a fast grower! just not for me! Iron eh? so would that be bought in a supplement form? like kent, or seachem or such?

 

[GMAX]

Kent makes an aquarium iron. That is what I use. I am sure there are others.

 

[cbeitel]

Pull the cheato ball apart. It grows fastes when it can "breath".

The iron might help. I had the same problem with cheato not growing. I added another bulb and BAM. It filled up my fuge. GMAX is right. If you aren't harvesting, somethings wrong.

There are other products on the market that do work, but I'd go after improving your cheato growth first.