Will algae go away?

[seapug]

probably. Phosphate get absorbed by calcium based substrates in the tank (rock & sand) and slowly leaches out. It also gets added to the tank with food inputs. GFO is Granular Ferric Oxide. Looks like rust colored sawdust.

Your canister filter could also be contributing to your problem. How often do you clean it?

 

[mangelo]

I've been cleaning it once a month.

 

[seapug]

That probably has something to do with your water quality problems. Canister filters should be cleaned weekly, or better yet, done away with completely. They can become detritus fish poop teabags that continually marinate your water with pollution.

 

[mangelo]

If I get rid of it what should I replace it with?

 

[sminker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13226205#post13226205 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mangelo
If I get rid of it what should I replace it with?

a sump would be good.

or you could be like me and just not have one.

i currently have no outside filtration, except a skimmer. just live rock and sand. 120lbs of rock and 120lbs of sand. water stays crystal clear.

i use a overflow tube that i made out of black pvc that looks like a normal overflow for the skimmer.

 

[mangelo]

How long should my tank be up before I can go with nothing? This tank cannot be drilled. It is tempered glass.

 

[sminker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13226873#post13226873 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mangelo
How long should my tank be up before I can go with nothing? This tank cannot be drilled. It is tempered glass.

dont know about that one. maybe one of the long time members will help.

my rock came from a 180 gallon 3 year reef tank. so it was already established

 

[mangelo]

I have 80lbs of live sand and about 35 - 45 lbs of live rock. Some of the rock is over a year old from another tank. I'd say about 15 lbs of it.