alge id. and how to get rid of it

[Fritzhamer]

Do you have carbon and phosguard in the same reactor? I'd split those up. You can plug the 45 of one reactors "out" directly into the "in" of another reactor. This will let you run both off the same pump.

 

[Jerzyray]

Don't think "too much" carbon would do it. How old is the tank?

about a year old

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

so running too much carbon can cause this? if so i think that may be it. i am running a reactor with carbon with a strong flow and phosguard mixed in as well

No carbon won't cause cyano bacteria.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Do you have carbon and phosguard in the same reactor? I'd split those up. You can plug the 45 of one reactors "out" directly into the "in" of another reactor. This will let you run both off the same pump.

Why.

 

[Fritzhamer]

I like to keep them separate. I run the carbon first and the second reactor has my GFO. Carbon can handle faster flow than the GFO. Plus the carbon won't grind up my GFO. I set the flow to where the GFO is shaking like an earthquake, maybe a little fluidized.

 

[Jerzyray]

Not always true. Also likes high co2 , light , dissolved organics and does need nitrates. Will also feed on other organic carbon sources, and loves aminos as the break down quite quickly.

well i have bin adding vinager to my top off water and adding acropwoer. could that be it?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I like to keep them separate. I run the carbon first and the second reactor has my GFO. Carbon can handle faster flow than the GFO. Plus the carbon won't grind up my GFO. I set the flow to where the GFO is shaking like an earthquake, maybe a little fluidized.

Carbon will fall apart in in a fluidized reactor and water needs to pass through it for it to work. Gfo needs a fludised reactor generally so all surfaces are exposed so it can bind more efficiently. Running gfo or aluminum oxide in a Lowe bin flidised reactor just limits the efficiency of it.


It's an alge. Grab a toothbrush and some snails. A fish might eat it.

My po4 is just under .20. I have no cyano.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

well i have bin adding vinager to my top off water and adding acropwoer. could that be it?

If it's cyano, yes.

 

[Jerzyray]

by the way Thank you guys for the advice,.

 

[Jerzyray]

Carbon will fall apart in in a fluidized reactor and water needs to pass through it for it to work. Gfo needs a fludised reactor generally so all surfaces are exposed so it can bind more efficiently. Running gfo or aluminum oxide in a Lowe bin flidised reactor just limits the efficiency of it.


It's an alge. Grab a toothbrush and some snails. A fish might eat it.

My po4 is just under .20. I have no cyano.

thats what i was thinking. cuz my water is spot on. I test for every thing, my LFS was out of snails so i hAVE to wait till wed, I was thinking on a yellow tank? what you think?

 

[Jerzyray]

Carbon will fall apart in in a fluidized reactor and water needs to pass through it for it to work. Gfo needs a fludised reactor generally so all surfaces are exposed so it can bind more efficiently. Running gfo or aluminum oxide in a Lowe bin flidised reactor just limits the efficiency of it.


It's an alge. Grab a toothbrush and some snails. A fish might eat it.

My po4 is just under .20. I have no cyano.

I also have my reactor packed tight. no movement. is that ok?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

thats what i was thinking. cuz my water is spot on. I test for every thing, my LFS was out of snails so i hAVE to wait till wed, I was thinking on a yellow tank? what you think?

Does it blow of is the question.
It could be an accumulation becuse the flow is dropping stuff there or some weird micro organism thing died.

 

[Fritzhamer]

nothing eats cyano. Siphon it out when doin water changes.

 

[leepink23]

I have to agree with salty that phosphates aren't always the issue. I battled cyano with phosphates 0.01 verified with Hannah ulr and triton. I tried everything to get rid of it. I stopped skimming and only running an algae turf scrubber because nitrates and phosphates were hitting 0 and 3 weeks later it went away. I am guessing mine was feeding off CO2.

Not always true. Also likes high co2 , light , dissolved organics and does need nitrates. Will also feed on other organic carbon sources, and loves aminos as the break down quite quickly.

Not always true. Also likes high co2 , light , dissolved organics and does need nitrates. Will also feed on other organic carbon sources, and loves aminos as the break down quite quickly.

 

[Fritzhamer]

I also have my reactor packed tight. no movement. is that ok?

Not sure about the aluminum based stuff, gfo needs to tumble a bit. Check with the manufacturers recommend best practices.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I also have my reactor packed tight. no movement. is that ok?

Like both of us were saying , brouncinf the gfo is best , but not a need, carbon tight , it's fine.

Mine gfo Ian actually in a bag in my reactor , I don't want it to strip the water too fast.

 

[Fritzhamer]

I have to agree with salty that phosphates aren't always the issue. I battled cyano with phosphates 0.01 verified with Hannah ulr and triton. I tried everything to get rid of it. I stopped skimming and only running an algae turf scrubber because nitrates and phosphates were hitting 0 and 3 weeks later it went away. I am guessing mine was feeding off CO2.

The Hannah meter is testing for free phosphates, it can't tell what's in the rock and sand, or bound up in algae or cyano.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Not sure about the aluminum based stuff, gfo needs to tumble a bit. Check with the manufacturers recommend best practices.

Tumbling is best for both. More surface are to contact with.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The Hannah meter is testing for free phosphates, it can't tell what's in the rock and sand, or bound up in algae or cyano.

Po4 reaches an equilibrium with the surrounding water.

 

[Fritzhamer]

Yet people grow algae with almost no detectable po4 or nitrates.