Several Questions

[irisheyes]

I am having a problem with Bubble Algae. I keep taking out the rocks and cleaning it off. My Phos test shows 0 and Nitrates also 0. My lighting was getting bad, so replaced the bulbs.
What can I use to cover the intakes of my Power Heads so that they don't get clogged with suspended Bubble Algae while I am cleaming it? I have some floating around the tank.
Can I add Chaetomorpha to my tank to help with nutrients? I don't have a Refugium or Sump.
Thanks for any and all help!

 

[bookfish]

You can use strainers from HOB filters like an aquaclear to shield the p-heads during cleaning. They can also be purchased separately at LFS'. Chaeto will do fine in a main tank as long as the lighting is good.

 

[DgenR8]

Algae can't live in your tank if there isn't something there to feed it. I find that testing for P04 in the presence of algae to be a waste of time and energy. You know it's there, or you wouldn't be fighting an algae problem. The thing is, it's not in your water column, it's bound up in the algae, rock and substrate. Adding Chaeto can help to deal with the problem, but I wouldn't add it directly to my tank. A small hang on type refugium would be far better, and won't break the bank on you. Another place to look, that many people don't even think of is prepared foods. Many times (probably closer to almost all times), prepared foods flakes, pellets, frozen, freeze dried, etc.... have P04 added to them. As you feed your fish, you are also feeding the nuisance algae.
Also, breaking the algae loose, and allowing a mechanical filter to catch it, does not remove the unwanted nutrients from your tank. If algae that has been eating P04 dies, the P04 that was bound in that algae flows right back into your tank.

 

[irisheyes]

What foods do you recommend that doesn't contain PO4? I think that must be where it is coming from. I don't feed very much but if the PO4 is in there and the fish eat it and poop it out that is my problem. I am going to try a refugium, but I have to figure out how to do the pumps so that I don't flood everything. That seems to be the hard part. I really don't have room on the back of the tank, or under, so am thinking about setting one beside it for now.

 

[DgenR8]

I just lost a really good reply out there in cyberspace

Here goes again,
You have to realize that I know nothing about your tank, I don't know how big it is, if it's over stocked, how you filter it, how you light it, anything other than you have an issue with Valonia.
That tells me that you have an issue with P04, but there may well be other issues too. To decide that the source of your algae is the flake food you've been feeding is optomistic, at least.
As far as removing food as one possible source of at least one unwanted nutrient, what I do is feed my tank fresh seafood. I don't go to the fish market every day, but I do go, and buy some of this and some of that. I take it home, grind it up in a food processor (that really bothered my wife, I had to buy her a new food processor after I made my first batch) and freeze in small cubes. I know that the only preservative used is freezing, and I know I can't do better by buying prepared food.