I've been fighting a minor hair algae problem for quite a while, have been running GFO and doing weekly water changes for a couple of months. First a little about my tank, just starting over, cooked the rock for a couple of months and only have about 10 - 15 Astrea and Narcissus snails. Tanks been running for about two months. Haven't been feeding since I set up as the snails seem happy on the rock. Only clean the glass once every 10 days or so.
When I test the tank water the readings are always zero, testing with both Sailfert and Sera. I knew two things were going on, first, neither test was accurate to the level necessary to actually determine how much phosphate I was fighting, and second, whatever phosphate was in the tank was bound up in the algae and what was left in the cooked rock. Still, I thought if I just kept up with the weekly regimen, I would persevere.
I've always used a 35 gallon rubbermaid tote to mix up and heat SW for water changes. Water's been circulating for about two days, getting ready for today's water change. I thought I'd check it this morning, to verify that it was not a source of phosphate and surprise, both tests are showing 0.25 phos readings!!!
Now I have to find a large food grade, covered tub/container to use. I live in an apartment and this sits under my kitchen table, adjacent to a common wall, the other side being were the tank sits, so I do have some size restrictions.
I'm wondering what others are using, besides brute tash containers? Thanks!!
When I test the tank water the readings are always zero, testing with both Sailfert and Sera. I knew two things were going on, first, neither test was accurate to the level necessary to actually determine how much phosphate I was fighting, and second, whatever phosphate was in the tank was bound up in the algae and what was left in the cooked rock. Still, I thought if I just kept up with the weekly regimen, I would persevere.
I've always used a 35 gallon rubbermaid tote to mix up and heat SW for water changes. Water's been circulating for about two days, getting ready for today's water change. I thought I'd check it this morning, to verify that it was not a source of phosphate and surprise, both tests are showing 0.25 phos readings!!!
Now I have to find a large food grade, covered tub/container to use. I live in an apartment and this sits under my kitchen table, adjacent to a common wall, the other side being were the tank sits, so I do have some size restrictions.
I'm wondering what others are using, besides brute tash containers? Thanks!!