Should I use phosphat E?

[dustin.emmanuel]

I've been frustrated on fuzzy green algae. They all take over my tank. On top of that, my montipora corals are not doing well possibly because of high PO4.

Tank parameters:
Kh = 10.0
PO4 = 0.35
NO3 = 25
Ca = 460
Mg = 1500

All my lps corals and soft corals are doing fine except for sps'. I also run an oversized skimmer, use a filter socks, and a chaeto farm.

Should I try using phosphate e?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I foist the phosphate is cause coral troubles and I would not assume lowering it will help the algae until it is so low that corals suffer.

Do you have a picture?

Do you have a good clean up crew?

 

[areefer01]

As RHF noted above there may be other contributing factors. My last manual test reported phosphate of 2.24 ppm and I do not have algae problems. A few hobbyist have above average nutrients, keep Acropora colonies, and no algae issues.

 

[dustin.emmanuel]

Only thing lacking is cuc. I still haven't a chance to get a good one. Thats the reason why I want to try phosphat E

 

[areefer01]

No clean up crew? Phosphate E does not replace basic fundamental necessities.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I agree. Cuc is a must.

 

[dustin.emmanuel]

No clean up crew? Phosphate E does not replace basic fundamental necessities.

Hmm, so you would say the cuc will eat most of the algae and that the corals wont get irritated?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I do not think your nutrients are a problem for corals.,I discuss such issues and show tank examples here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/randy’s-thoughts-on-nutrient-target-ranges.1087/

I’d get a mixed clean up crew from a place like Reef Cleaners.

 

[EnterName]

While I personally prefer very low nutrient levels and would still try to lower them, I'm not aware of any water parameters in which corals can thrive but algae won't.

If the tank supports coral growth, it will inevitably support algae growth, which means without clean up crew even ultra low nutrient systems will grow algae sooner or later.

Get a few herbivores that can help you deal with the issue and it might already solve it.

I still want to recommend lowering at least phosphate levels because it avoids a sudden phosphate shock for new corals when being introduced into your tank which can weaken corals potentially leading to tissue loss.

I could imagine lower nutrient levels would also slow down algae growth which would help the clean up crew to catch up. However, I'm not sure it's that simple because there can be many other growth-limiting factors such as missing trace elements like iron, so don't quote me on the last part

 

[dustin.emmanuel]

I'll order some snails from dr reef for my tank. I will not add inverts that is not through fishless system. But reefcleaners is really good with the prices, i might have to do fallow period from them if i buy.

 

[Reef-_-Noob]

I recommend a purple urchin they eat a lot and also a LITTLE bit of phosphate e

 

[slingfox]

To get rid of that algae and keep it from coming back in plague proportions you should do manual removal then add a clean up crew. Phosphates at the level posted does not seem problematic. A bit on the higher side but not something I would go out of my way to lower but a bit lower would be nice.

 

[dustin.emmanuel]

I recommend a purple urchin they eat a lot and also a LITTLE bit of phosphate e

I do have one in there, he eats lots but algae over take quick.

To get rid of that algae and keep it from coming back in plague proportions you should do manual removal then add a clean up crew. Phosphates at the level posted does not seem problematic. A bit on the higher side but not something I would go out of my way to lower but a bit lower would be nice.

I also do manual removal when water change but it comes back stronger than ever.

I one time bought some turbo snails like a month ago. They all died for no reasons, only 1 live till now. One thing that could be the reason is the temp fluctuate from 77-80F in a night or salinity raises from water evaporated.

 

[slingfox]

I do have one in there, he eats lots but algae over take quick.

I also do manual removal when water change but it comes back stronger than ever.

I one time bought some turbo snails like a month ago. They all died for no reasons, only 1 live till now. One thing that could be the reason is the temp fluctuate from 77-80F in a night or salinity raises from water evaporated.

In addition to getting CUC you really should get an ATO to eliminate the salinity swings. A 3 degree swing in temperature is not ideal but is unlikely to kill CUC including turbo snails. If you want to reduce that swing then buy a fan and put it on an Inkbird temperature controller.

 

[Reef-_-Noob]

Your algae is strong rooted, algae gets better when roots not so strong it starts to disappear.

 

[dustin.emmanuel]

In addition to getting CUC you really should get an ATO to eliminate the salinity swings. A 3 degree swing in temperature is not ideal but is unlikely to kill CUC including turbo snails. If you want to reduce that swing then buy a fan and put it on an Inkbird temperature controller.

I do have a small fan, now i do remember the fan was turned off for some reason. But ATO is on one of my bucket list. I do feel tired of filling the water with a glass manually

 

[docscorals]

To get rid of that algae and keep it from coming back in plague proportions you should do manual removal then add a clean up crew. Phosphates at the level posted does not seem problematic. A bit on the higher side but not something I would go out of my way to lower but a bit lower would be nice.

I agree. Some CUC actually avoid longer algae growth like you have in some areas. I would remove as much as you can manually, and then add some CUC

While somewhat high, your nutrient aren’t crazy. Like others here, I run higher nutrients and don’t have algae problems. Get some CUC, maybe a lawnmower blenny or other herbivorous fish or two, that will help.