Long time reefer, did a reboot, po4 issue

[Bubstank2]

Hello
Have an issue where I might have high po4 but both Hanna testers show zero. Ppm and ppb.
Brown algae outbreak after perfect numbers 1 month earlier (po4 .003 and no3 2.5)
Newer 3 month old 250 gallon bare bottom tank.
Inclined to change water (haven’t since I started it up)
But maybe need to make water dirtier?
Trying to stay logical…. Few frags lost color and turning brown

 

[Tahoe61]

The brown algae break out might be diatoms, or related to the low po4 values. Why do you think you might have high po4?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Could be dinos too. Or cyano.

My action recommendation depends on what it is. More info on that end would be useful. Pictures, description, best case is a microscope on the stuff.

 

[Bubstank2]

These are good questions, I don’t have a microscope but can buy one. It’s not stringy like cyno I’ve had in past tanks. I’m leaning towards high po4 due to the way my corals acted within a week and seeing I’ve never done a water change in 3 months.
Filter socks are clogging up every 3 days (100/300 micron)
I could dos po4 and no3 but I’d rather not. I’m stuck just wondering if I should do a water change or feed more at this point .
I may run another po4 and no3 test today.
It’s a fork in the road and don’t know which path to take. My tank is young and have snails on the way . Due to bare bottom I have a lot of bio plates and balls in the sump and they have been there since November.
Appreciate the input any further thoughts?
I’ll try and get pics mid day

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Is the material at all snotty (dinos)?

 

[Pod_01]

I’m leaning towards high po4 due to the way my corals acted within a week and seeing I’ve never done a water change in 3 months.

If you believe the PO4 is elevated yet:

but both Hanna testers show zero. Ppm and ppb.

That is counter intuitive.

I suspect PO4 is depleted.

My observation when PO4 is in the 0.1ppm range that doesn’t lead to algae explosion. PO4 in the sub 0.03ppm range did lead to algae problems from my experience.

Do you have a picture of the algae?

Also water change will not alter PO4 concentration in the water, water change is useful for NO3.

How did your corals react? My generally like PO4, I never seen issues in the 0.1-0.5ppm range.
My corals tend to react negative when I have rapidly sinking PO4, especially when going from 0.05ppm to zero…

 

[Bubstank2]

If you believe the PO4 is elevated yet:


That is counter intuitive.

I suspect PO4 is depleted.

My observation when PO4 is in the 0.1ppm range that doesn’t lead to algae explosion. PO4 in the sub 0.03ppm range did lead to algae problems from my experience.

Do you have a picture of the algae?

Also water change will not alter PO4 concentration in the water, water change is useful for NO3.

How did your corals react? My generally like PO4, I never seen issues in the 0.1-0.5ppm range.
My corals tend to react negative when I have rapidly sinking PO4, especially when going from 0.05ppm to zero…

My brain agrees with you yet I just haven’t seen a change so fast in my past years. However I stepped away for 3 and now am back so could be my memory. My silver dollar sized monti cap is white now 48 hours ago it was pink. Stylo unphased, brown is what I’m calling algae however I guess it could be diatoms.
Looking for an outside recommendation .

Kill skimmer? Skim 12 on 12 off?
Black out tank?
Dos p04 ? I have food grade stuff
Double my feedings and wait this ugly phase out and buy 50 snails and perform no water changes?

I greatly appreciate the input

 

[Pod_01]

My silver dollar sized monti cap is white now 48 hours ago it was pink. Stylo unphased, brown is what I’m calling algae however I guess it could be diatoms.
Looking for an outside recommendation .

Speaking from my experience, Montiporas I observed to be very sensitive to sinking PO4, lot more compared to Acros. Especially in the 0.05ppm range going down, the acceleration may have been caused by long term PO4 deficiency.
I have not killed any Montipora or Acro when PO4 has been elevated 0.1-0.9 range. I usually run I the 0.1-0.3ppm range.
Again my experience…

My red cap Montipora now:

The bubbles in the picture you provided does indicate Dino’s are in there. I had the pleasure of dealing with them in established tank so I don’t have experience with Dino’s in a new tank.
My trigger was dropping PO4…

If you have LED reduce the intensity, I run my at 50%.
Try to increase PO4 and perhaps N (ammonia). Bacteria that competes with Dino’s also needs the PO4/N.

Hopefully someone who had these in a new tank can chime in.

Good luck,

 

[Bubstank2]

Thank you for your input

 

[rishma]

When I had dinos it looked just like your pictures. Brown with bubbles. I confirmed mine with a microscope.

My dino battles started when I dropped my PO4 to zero (Hanna). There are many threads on how to fight dinos. It’s been a while so I am not up on the latest. It was such a frustrating experience I’m now a bit obsessive about ensuring phosphate levels. I have not had a problem since. I suggest a quick search for current dino advice. I wish you the best of luck.