Hi everyone,
Tank (165g) has been up and running since 2014. Initially maintenance just included water changes along with carbon (vinegar) dosing.
I dosed the vinegar to help control the nitrates and it did a pretty good job (kept them at 0). However the tanked developed a cyanobacteria issue along with some pesky hair algae issues. Following that, I started noticing more of a major bacteria build up (snot- like substance) mainly in my sump. So I decided to take another approach. I invested in a Santa Monica Rain2 Algae Turf Scrubber. It has been up and running for about 6 months now. I have cut back the vinegar dosing to a very, very small amount to allow the ATS to start doing its thing. Since I have reduced my carbon dosage, the bacteria build up (snot-like substance) has disappeared and quite a bit of the hair algae as well as a majority of the cyanobacteria. I have tested for nitrates and they have increased to about 20 (from 0) I believe from cutting back the vinegar dosage. However, I am still battling some cyanobacteria as well as some small patches of green hair algae.
My question: Should I stop all carbon dosing now that I am running an ATS?
I do have some GFO I can run through a reactor if need be, however I haven't been since I believe it would just compete with the ATS.
I know ChemiClean is an option. I just wanted to get some opinions before going that direction.
Current water stats:
Alk: 10.0
Mag: 1475
Cal: 400
Nitrate: 20
Cheers!
Marc
Tank (165g) has been up and running since 2014. Initially maintenance just included water changes along with carbon (vinegar) dosing.
I dosed the vinegar to help control the nitrates and it did a pretty good job (kept them at 0). However the tanked developed a cyanobacteria issue along with some pesky hair algae issues. Following that, I started noticing more of a major bacteria build up (snot- like substance) mainly in my sump. So I decided to take another approach. I invested in a Santa Monica Rain2 Algae Turf Scrubber. It has been up and running for about 6 months now. I have cut back the vinegar dosing to a very, very small amount to allow the ATS to start doing its thing. Since I have reduced my carbon dosage, the bacteria build up (snot-like substance) has disappeared and quite a bit of the hair algae as well as a majority of the cyanobacteria. I have tested for nitrates and they have increased to about 20 (from 0) I believe from cutting back the vinegar dosage. However, I am still battling some cyanobacteria as well as some small patches of green hair algae.
My question: Should I stop all carbon dosing now that I am running an ATS?
I do have some GFO I can run through a reactor if need be, however I haven't been since I believe it would just compete with the ATS.
I know ChemiClean is an option. I just wanted to get some opinions before going that direction.
Current water stats:
Alk: 10.0
Mag: 1475
Cal: 400
Nitrate: 20
Cheers!
Marc