Phosphate Removal

[labnjab]

I've been having some algae problems for the past few months and have been able to get the hair algae to slow down growth by changes in maintainance and feeding and adding cheato to the sump, but I can't seem to get the marco to stop growing, so I'm thinking there's a possible phosphate problem that just isn't showing up on the test kit. Is there a way to remove phosphate without a reactor, or a way to make a DIY reactor? I really want to get rid of this stuff completely and not have it grow back before it gets out of hand.

[Lady Hobbs]

Add a pillow of PhosBan to your filter. It dropped my phos from 2 to .50 overnight.

[Fishguy2727]

I have PhosGuard in my HOB, but a canister can make a good reactor too.

[Alfcea]

Do you have charcoal/carbon in your filter? It will help too...

[labnjab]

I'm not running a filter, I forgot to say this was for my reef, lol. just my live rock, but I have a small spare HOB I could stick in my sump and stuff with phosphate remover, if that will work

[Rue]

I'm having the same problem. And I also don't want to mess with adding too many things. The more you add, the more things that can go wrong.

I harvest the macro every week or so...I think it does take up a lot of the phosphate in the water, so helps keep things clean. Harvesting then removes it from the system (same as chaeto in a sump). I reduced feeding amounts.

I also am trying a phosphate removal pad in the overflow. If it's working, I can't tell...

The only thing I haven't tried is reducing the light time...

If you come up with miracle solution, let me know!thumbs2:

[Fishguy2727]

Macro algae are a great way to deal with nitrate, phosphate, etc.

[labnjab]

I've got a small ball of chaeto in my fuge and I just added a mangrove seed to it as well, should I wait and see if those help once they really start growing? I'm one who likes to use as little chemicals as possible, but If I have to add a phosphate remover as well, I will

[coachfraley]

I use this pad ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]), because it works well in my all-in-one set up. Depending on what kind of HOB you have, you might be able to cut it to fit.

Along with removing phosphates, these pads make your water WAY more clear. If you are using no mech. filtration, you should see a big difference in water clarity. You just need to change out the pads once a month.

[labnjab]

Could I possibly put it in my filter sock on the overflow side of my sump? It gets tons of flow there I just looked at my sump, and realized I have no room for a HOB filter, lol. That looks like something I would buy

[Rue]

I use this pad ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]), because it works well in my all-in-one set up. Depending on what kind of HOB you have, you might be able to cut it to fit.

Along with removing phosphates, these pads make your water WAY more clear. If you are using no mech. filtration, you should see a big difference in water clarity. You just need to change out the pads once a month.

I use something similar...but yours looks better.

But I suppose I shouldn't judge a phosphate pad by it's cover...:hmm3grin2orange:

[coachfraley]

I use something similar...but yours looks better.

But I suppose I shouldn't judge a phosphate pad by it's cover...:hmm3grin2orange:

Nice....The cover is pretty cool.:ssmile:

Labnjab, your idea would probably work fine. Another option is to cut it to fit, and then wedge a piece in one of your baffles. That is how I have it set up in my all-in-one.

If you don't understand what I mean, post a pick of your sump, and I'll photoshop in what I mean.

[Fishguy2727]

For the price the loose media phosphate removers provide a lot more for your dollar compared to the pad style removers.

[kaybee]

...I'm thinking there's a possible phosphate problem that just isn't showing up on the test kit...

Both the macro and nuisance algae are probably utilizing the PO4 as quickly as it is being generated/introduced to the tank and contributing to false negative results.

But, what test kit are you using and what is the lowest level of phosphate it can detect?

As part of your anti-hair algae plan, try manually removing as much of it as possible. As nuisance algae dies off it releases much of the phosphate it utilized back into the system (thus fueling the remaining algae; this stuff doesn't go away with out a fight). Manual removal reduces the amount of 'algae matter' (=phosphate) that will be released during die off and expedites its demise.

[labnjab]

Both the macro and nuisance algae are probably utilizing the PO4 as quickly as it is being generated/introduced to the tank and contributing to false negative results.

But, what test kit are you using and what is the lowest level of phosphate it can detect?

As part of your anti-hair algae plan, try manually removing as much of it as possible. As nuisance algae dies off it releases much of the phosphate it utilized back into the system (thus fueling the remaining algae; this stuff doesn't go away with out a fight). Manual removal reduces the amount of 'algae matter' (=phosphate) that will be released during die off and expedites its demise.

Before I did a water change today, we removed a ton of algae manually, then, I ran the sump for and hour to let any stray algae get caught in the filter sock. The I did a 10% wc like I always do. I try to manually remove as much as possible without stressing the fish too much every week.
My phosphate kit is a Seachem and it will read down to .01 and it never shows up on the test.


Here's the pic of our sump coach. I get paid Monday so I'll order some pads from big als along with some other stuff we need

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[coachfraley]

Well, here is the only other place I could come up with:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

You could use three pieces of egg-crate, pvc, or something else, to support the pad so that it is flush at the top of that chamber. The good thing about this design, is that the piece of pad you change out would be pretty small, and you could get a lot of use out of 1 pad purchase.

[labnjab]

Thank you, I'll give that a try

[oldhead]

I use the same pad, they do work pretty well. Although I was thinking of looking into a reactor at some point. I don't have any phos issues now but am trying to be proactive in a sense I guess. Good luck! Hope it works out for you!

[labnjab]

Thank you, I hope it works too. I hate having to go into the display while doing a wc to remove all the algae. I'll be glad when I can just leave the display alone and do everything in the sump