Well, I'm sad to report this is sad but, I trying to figure out phosphate control and export low cost for a 3 year old 350 gallon reef. I suspect I've lost a lot of corals over the last 3 years due to yoyo effect of phosphates.
Corals are doing great, but seeing some RTN or STN on one acr. The other acro is growing bigger and no recession, but, checked phosphates for the first time in a month. Last month I tested week to week and they consistently stayed under .1. (hovering around .06 to .1 ppm - Hana tester).
Now, a month later, after close to 140 gallon water change, I finally got some new reagent packs and tested. A day after the water change phosphates were .11 ppm. I tested the next day, they were .12 ppm. I tested yesterday and they were up to .14 ppm. Consistently going up day to day after a month of being stable.
My current export methods are
Algae turf scrubber from Turbo Aquatics (full of algae every 3-4 days)
Reef Octopus skimmer rated for moderately stocked 500 gallon system Skimming somewhat wet.
30-40% water change once a month.
I run 750 ml of purigen, it's been about 3 months - wondering if the purigen is expired and that's why phosphates are creeping back up?
I'm dosing Phosphat-e lanthinum chloride to keep them managed for now (every couple days depending on need). But, I don't like LC as a long term solution, definitely cheep, but, I've noticed my RBTA doesn't like the LC. Tends to stay closed up longer when I dose consistently.
I feed heavy but I've got large fish, most of what I feed is gone within 10 minutes and I feed a sheet of nori every other day for my tangs. They go nuts if I don't feed them the nori every other day. . .
I don't run GFO. I really don't want a second mortgage on my home to control phosphates using GFO in this large of a tank.. Anything new or innovative or old and reinvented that would work better to export phosphates? Is there something more efficient than hair algae to grow on a turf scrubber with all red LEDs? Or some type of reactor outside of GFO that would pull phosphates out of the water? I don't know. . A phosphate eating nudibranch! O.k. I'm stretching the innovation!
There has to be something new and improved and relatively cost effective? No?
Corals are doing great, but seeing some RTN or STN on one acr. The other acro is growing bigger and no recession, but, checked phosphates for the first time in a month. Last month I tested week to week and they consistently stayed under .1. (hovering around .06 to .1 ppm - Hana tester).
Now, a month later, after close to 140 gallon water change, I finally got some new reagent packs and tested. A day after the water change phosphates were .11 ppm. I tested the next day, they were .12 ppm. I tested yesterday and they were up to .14 ppm. Consistently going up day to day after a month of being stable.
My current export methods are
Algae turf scrubber from Turbo Aquatics (full of algae every 3-4 days)
Reef Octopus skimmer rated for moderately stocked 500 gallon system Skimming somewhat wet.
30-40% water change once a month.
I run 750 ml of purigen, it's been about 3 months - wondering if the purigen is expired and that's why phosphates are creeping back up?
I'm dosing Phosphat-e lanthinum chloride to keep them managed for now (every couple days depending on need). But, I don't like LC as a long term solution, definitely cheep, but, I've noticed my RBTA doesn't like the LC. Tends to stay closed up longer when I dose consistently.
I feed heavy but I've got large fish, most of what I feed is gone within 10 minutes and I feed a sheet of nori every other day for my tangs. They go nuts if I don't feed them the nori every other day. . .
I don't run GFO. I really don't want a second mortgage on my home to control phosphates using GFO in this large of a tank.. Anything new or innovative or old and reinvented that would work better to export phosphates? Is there something more efficient than hair algae to grow on a turf scrubber with all red LEDs? Or some type of reactor outside of GFO that would pull phosphates out of the water? I don't know. . A phosphate eating nudibranch! O.k. I'm stretching the innovation!
There has to be something new and improved and relatively cost effective? No?