Do I need to lower my phosphates?

[theuksnoobreefer]

Hi all!

I've got a question which I cannot find a definitive answer to.

Long story short, my rocks seem to get covered in green algae throughout the day, it's easily blasted off with a turkey baster, but I find my self doing it literally every single day.

My nutrients are

~20 nitrate (Salifert test)
0.18 phosphate (Hanna test)

Reason my nitrates are 'high' are because my GSP and Zoa seem to thrive more.

I'm more than certain in some areas of the rock, I can see a tiny tiny bit of cyano starting.

So my question is, should my phosphates be lower? Will lowering them reduce the green rocks?

 

[Reefer Matt]

Hi all!

I've got a question which I cannot find a definitive answer to.

Long story short, my rocks seem to get covered in green algae throughout the day, it's easily blasted off with a turkey baster, but I find my self doing it literally every single day.

My nutrients are

~20 nitrate (Salifert test)
0.18 phosphate (Hanna test)

Reason my nitrates are 'high' are because my GSP and Zoa seem to thrive more.

I'm more than certain in some areas of the rock, I can see a tiny tiny bit of cyano starting.

So my question is, should my phosphates be lower? Will lowering them reduce the green rocks?

It can help, do you have enough cleanup crew to keep the rocks clean?

 

[Uncle99]

How old is your system?
You mention nitrate and phosphate, but not the others.
What do they look like and what’s the flux over a day.

 

[theuksnoobreefer]

It can help, do you have enough cleanup crew to keep the rocks clean?

I've currently got:

A mexican turbo
2 Astraea snails
A Trochus
5 Nassarius snails
Tuxedo urchin
Strawberry conch

I've literally had about 10 hermits and I struggled to keep any alive, I assumed due to starvation

 

[theuksnoobreefer]

How old is your system?
You mention nitrate and phosphate, but not the others.
What do they look like and what’s the flux over a day.

System has been up since end of May.

Salinity 1.025
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - ~20
Phos - 0.18

 

[Uncle99]

System has been up since end of May.

Salinity 1.025
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - ~20
Phos - 0.18

Ok, so about 6 months, Iam concerned I don’t see Alk or temp and the change day to day?

They would be very important.

 

[theuksnoobreefer]

Ok, Iam concerned I don’t see Alk or temp and the change day to day?

They would be very important.

I don't test Alk, but my temp, according to my thermometer in the tank is consistently at 25c

 

[StradicCi4]

Alk is literally the most important parameter - start there, test and make sure its steady as it has alot to do with your other params too.

 

[Wonkabar]

Doesn’t sound too bad. Curious what your all is at. Do you have coral in the tank?

 

[JTP424]

Green that's blasted off may be green cyano? Can you nab some photos in white light?
Also don't forget to look at where the tank is situated... is it near a window and get extra light?

 

[theuksnoobreefer]

Doesn’t sound too bad. Curious what your all is at. Do you have coral in the tank?

Yeah, discosoma mushroom, GSP, Kenya tree and a Zoa.

 

[theuksnoobreefer]

Green that's blasted off may be green cyano? Can you nab some photos in white light?
Also don't forget to look at where the tank is situated... is it near a window and get extra light?

I'm leaning towards it, it's annoying though been constant for around 2months.

Tank is near a window, however, the blind is constantly down.

 

[BZOFIQ]

If you can blow the stuff easily off the rocks why is your water flow not taking care of that? Do you have enough water flow within your tank to disrupt anything settling down?

Your nitrates and phosphate levels seem fine.

 

[theuksnoobreefer]

If you can blow the stuff easily off the rocks why is your water flow not taking care of that? Do you have enough water flow within your tank to disrupt anything settling down?

Your nitrates and phosphate levels seem fine.

I don't think it's a flow issue. I've got a wave maker, and an upgraded return pump, in a 13.5 Fluval.

 

[JTP424]

I don't think it's a flow issue. I've got a wave maker, and an upgraded return pump, in a 13.5 Fluval.

Not to nay-say, but it still could be flow related, dead spots can lead to build up of detritus etc. If the flow isn't directed correctly it can be a problem. But it sounds like you have the tools to fix it!

 

[CHSUB]

Reason my nitrates are 'high' are because my GSP and Zoa seem to thrive more

I would lower no3 with better maintenance, my GSP and zoa are thriving also but so is everything else. My no3 is undetectable with hobby test kits.

 

[Uncle99]

I don't think it's a flow issue. I've got a wave maker, and an upgraded return pump, in a 13.5 Fluval.

When Alk fluxes, your system does not mature and sets an environment which is loved by pest type stuff which can multiply quickly.

In addition to N and P ,you need to keep a strict watch over Salinity (held steady with ATO) Temp (held steady to .5 degree) and Alk from 8-12dkh with a variance around .5 dkh, at any time of day.

This environment favours the good stuff algae and bacteria’s which clean our rocks, keep sand white, and contribute to coral nutrition.

Without that stability, it’s not going to work long term.

 

[theuksnoobreefer]

When Alk fluxes, your system does not mature and sets an environment which is loved by pest type stuff which can multiply quickly.

In addition to N and P ,you need to keep a strict watch over Salinity (held steady with ATO) Temp (held steady to .5 degree) and Alk from 8-12dkh with a variance around .5 dkh, at any time of day.

This environment favours the good stuff algae and bacteria’s which clean our rocks, keep sand white, and contribute to coral nutrition.

Without that stability, it’s not going to work long term.

I'm confident my salinity is kept stable as I have an ATO.

I tested my alk with a Salifert kit, and I got a result of 9.1

 

[theuksnoobreefer]

Any one any ideas?