phosphate reactor?

[mitch303]

so i was thinking of getting a phosphate reactor for my 55 gallon reef tank. I have been having a little bit of a problem with diatoms. My tank is about 10 months old and lately i have had diatoms on my sandbed and i cant figure out what is causing them. MY tank tests out a 0- amonia 0-trites 0 trates ph 8.2, I have brand new bulbs on my t5 fixture i feed fish once every other day. I have an ro/di unit my tank is not overstocked, I have a sump with cheato. so i can not figure out what is causing it im thinking i might have an elevated level of phosphates i do not have a phosphate test kit i plan on getting one along with a phosphate reactor.


i dont have any sps yet just a couple lps frags and some zoas. so would the reactor help with the diatom problem? Also where do i place the pump in my sump should i put it in the section the return pump is in and i have also heard that with bio pellets you have to start with like half the recomended media is this true with gfo also?

 

[redwingrob40]

10 months is still pretty young and most new tanks go through a diatom bloom at some stage. You can def look at a phosphate reactor, but before adding one I would def get a reading on your po4 levels and then if they are high add one. As for dosage if you get GFO form BRS they have directions on the tub. Yes they do recommend that you start with a smaller dose and then increase slowly until you hit the desired amount.

 

[jimrawr]

What time of test kits do you have?

 

[DrSalty]

I use a Red Sea Algae Control test kit that tests for nitrates and phosphate. It's a little bit more involved them some tests (i.e. more than just dipping something) but it appears to be very accurate in the readings. I would recommend one.

 

[mitch303]

alright i am for sure getting a po4 test kit and ill probably just pick up a reactor anyway if the po4 is high ill run some gfo if its not high ill just use the reactor for carbon then. Another question if i have cheato in my fuge wont the phosphate media absorb all the nutrients and kill the cheato.

 

[mightymizz]

You might check out the Hanna Phophate Checker. Yes it's $50, but it will actually be useful for you for a long time. Verses a ~$25 dollar test kit where you can't determine which shade of blue you have and rarely use it.

I've been fairly pleased with my checker. Just my two cents.