Help what to do!

[John_A]

Hello, I’ve got a 40 Breeder with a sump that’s been up for 10+ years. I’ve always stirred the sand bed. About a week ago, I was cleaning up all the buildup off my sand bed, trying to get the tank back in good shape. Now I have this algae — I’m thinking it’s turf or GHA.

I tested my water this morning, and nitrate and phosphate are at 0. I’m trying to figure out my next move. I know it’s not good to have nitrate at 0, but the algae probably has that tied up.

Basic filter setup: skimmer and filter socks.

 

[Tahoe61]

Do you have any snails or hermit crabs? Try a variegated Sea Urchin, with manual removal perhaps.
That's a pretty old sand bed, I am not sure how I feel about disturbing it.

 

[John_A]

The sand bed itself isn’t as old as the tank. It started bare-bottom, then I ended up with a conch, so I added some sand. Since adding it, I’ve always stirred it.

I do have snails, hermits, and a lawnmower blenny, but he small. Manual removal is hard unless I try to remove each rock to scrub it. It’s not easily pulled off

Do you have any snails or hermit crabs? Try a variegated Sea Urchin, with manual removal perhaps.
That's a pretty old sand bed, I am not sure how I feel about disturbing it.

 

[John_A]

With Both Being at Zero should I Try raising them? The only Coral is a Frogspawn,Pearl Bubble, Toadstool

 

[John_A]

Lol anyone?

 

[Warglesnargle]

How many snails in particular do you have? I always have the philosophy of running rather on the high side of CuC vs. bare minimum. For example in my 50 gallon, I run over 40 snails and while I still do have hair algae, it's always kept in check relatively easily. I just went through battling dinos and I will definitely instill the fear in you that running 0 phosphate and nitrate is a dangerous game. Yes, in theory you're starving the algae with the lack of nutrients but that opens up other problems. The saving grace you have at this moment might be the fact that the algae is taking up large amounts of surface area that could in theory be free real estate for dinos. I also 100% agree with you that the nutrients are bound up in the algae. This might sound counter productive but I'd obviously address the elephant in the room and dose nitrate and phosphate. Try the Brightwell stuff and take it slow. Try maybe 5ml's (a capful) per day and test test test! Your corals will also thank you as, they're LPS/softie and would rather prefer much dirtier (nutrient) water vs. the current 0 levels you're at. And yes, the algae is inevitably going to consume this but, it will keep the dinos at a disadvantage from taking hold. I understand not everyone is on-board with running UV's either but in my experience and as a result of having to get one for defeating my dinos, the algae in the tank is also noticeably less. It'll still grow but takes more time and gives your clean up crew a chance to keep up. So, take this all with a grain of salt but that's how I would handle it given my experiences so far in reef keeping. Hope this helps and keep us updated!