Successful tank without phosphate remover?

[Nem0]

Anyone here able to run a successful reef tank without the use of any phosphate remover like rowaphos?

I realized that my LPS (with a few monti) tank is always dull color possibily due to the high nutrient. My phosphate is around 0.1ppm and nitrate is around 20ppm.

I tried to grow macroalgae (cheato, etc) in my sump and they don't seem to grow very well. However, it is the nuisance algae that is growing very well (e.g red algae and diatom on the cheato). At first I was trying hard to remove them, and later decided that since they are also a form of nutrient export, and since my macro are not doing so well, might as well keep them in the sump.

My next question is, can macroalgae alone without the help of any phosphate remover able to reduce the nutrient in the tank to undetectable level? I don't seem to be able to do this.

 

[nalbar]

I don't run any kind of material in my system, not even carbon. I do not claim I have 0 phosphates (I really have no clue, I don't test for it). Nitrate, when I test for it (not often) is usually very low. Those times in the past it has creeped up I can solve it by blowing off my rock with a power head.

If I was to move to a phosphate removal method I would absolutely go the macro way. And yes, you can do it without a removal medium.

However, I have a softy tank. All my animals either prefer, or do not mind a system that is slightly dirty.

BTW, whenever I have tried removal medium (carbon or pads, never rowaphos) it has always seemed to me that my inhabitants have had a negative reaction, that goes away right after the medium is removed.

There are a TON of people here who only use macro algae for their systems. Here is a great thread on fuges;

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1349443

nalbar

 

[sjm817]

I dont run any PO4 remover other than macro. I tried it a few times and saw no difference in the tank at all.

 

[Nem0]

Any of you tested your phosphate and nitrate? Are they undetectable?

 

[nalbar]

I forgot to mention I also don't have macro algae in my fuge (really just a second sump for the skimmer). So no macro or removal medium (of any kind). Just a skimmer.

I don't test for phosphate. I assume I have it because I feed my fish flake and pellets. I don't test for nitrates often, and when I do it's always below 10. I have trouble deciding the color on the tests, so I assume it's lower than that.

There are lots of different ways to do a reef tank. You just have to compromise if you do it the way I do (berlin method). You have to limit the fish, and your corals have to be tolerant of 'non-perfect' water. My way you will get a certain amount of algae growth. But judging by the comments on RC in some of the NICE tank threads I really doubt I get much more than most, even those with a ton of equipment.


nalbar

 

[BradR]

I run rowaphos. It dramatically reduced the algae which covers the aquarium glass to where I only clean it once a week now. Gotta be careful to add only a little at a time at first though.

 

[Chad]

Hate to say it but I have a 175 and phoshates never even cross my mind. I do keep macros in my refug.

 

[Playa-1]

I don't worry about it for the time being. I've got a lil piece of Chaeto in the fuge with a good light but it doesn't grow. It's about the size of a marble
My phosphates and nitrates always test low.

 

[demonsp]

I never add anything.0 nitrate , 0 ammonia , 0 phosphate .Only water changes.Tanks almost 2 yrs old.

 

[Rysam]

i dont use any carbon or phosphate remover at all. i do dose kalk in a diy reactor and i have a decent size fuge with chaeto. i usually do a 25g w/c on a 135 with a 45g sump/fuge every 2 or 3 weeks. 0 everything and sps growth like crazy.