Trying to figure out how to move forward

[John_A]

So I am currently battling my tank. I have what I think is GHA or turf algae, but I am also battling my nitrate and phosphate being 0. Every two days I have to dose nitrate to prevent it from hitting 0.

I've been dosing phosphate, but it still hasn't registered on my test kit (*Salifert*). Is it safe to dose more than normal to get a number to register? I've read that the phosphate will bind to the rocks until a certain point, or is it better to go with a slow raise?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

IMO you are battling yourself rather than battling the tank, you have a really bad algae problem, algae consumes nitrate/phosphate very rapidly, and you are dosing nitrate and phosphate, essentially you are feeding it. Personally my plan of action would be to strip the system of nutrients and dom and pom, also manual removal and increasing the algae grazers, but starving the algae out is the easiest and best way IMO. I know there are different ways of tackling algae, this is just how I do it. Good luck

 

[Schlafrig]

All the algae is probably sucking up all the nutrients you add. I would start with scrubbing the rocks to remove the algae. Whats your CUC like? They likely wont be able to manage the algae how it is curently but after manual removal they can help keep it in check.

 

[John_A]

IMO you are battling yourself rather than battling the tank, you have a really bad algae problem, algae consumes nitrate/phosphate very rapidly, and you are dosing nitrate and phosphate, essentially you are feeding it. Personally my plan of action would be to strip the system of nutrients and dom and pom, also manual removal and increasing the algae grazers, but starving the algae out is the easiest and best way IMO. I know there are different ways of tackling algae, this is just how I do it. Good luck

Well I was worried about letting Nitrate and Phosphate Bottom out and getting Dinos so Stop dosing and pull the rocks and scrub any other suggestions?

 

[Schlafrig]

You could probably dose a smaller amount after / right before doing the manual removal. The issue is you dont want to spike your nutrients since the algae wont be taking in as much.

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

You might cut an hour or two from your light schedule if its 10 hours or more, this can help get the algae under control

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I would beef up your CUC and try to manually remove as much algae as you can

 

[kevgib67]

Great info already given! I would highly adding a sea hare to your cuc. I’ve never had anything clean up algae so fast and completely, urchins, turbos, tangs or angels come close. Of course while it’s being cleaned up, work on the underlying problem.

 

[mfinn]

Bump up the cleanup crew.

Stop dosing everything. You are feeding the algae.

 

[John_A]

You could probably dose a smaller amount after / right before doing the manual removal. The issue is you dont want to spike your nutrients since the algae wont be taking in as much.

Great info already given! I would highly adding a sea hare to your cuc. I’ve never had anything clean up algae so fast and completely, urchins, turbos, tangs or angels come close. Of course while it’s being cleaned up, work on the underlying problem.

I’ll try the manual removal first, as it’s not super bad. I do have a pencil urchin also, but may look into the sea hare as a last resort. But the issue that caused it? I’m not exactly sure. I don’t overfeed, bio load is light, and I use RODI, a sump, and a skimmer. The only thing I’m guilty of is not blowing all the crap off my rocks and sucking up stuff regularly, but I’m trying to get on top of that.

 

[MadreeferNJ]

You can dose peroxide to help with killing HA. If HA is long my CUC won't touch it until it started to die out.

 

[John_A]

You can dose peroxide to help with killing HA. If HA is long my CUC won't touch it until it started to die out.

I've actually been doing that the last 2 nights I've been dosing it into my sump after I manually pulled some and sucked it out it's very short and tuff to pull off the rocks

 

[Paul B]

My rocks look like that and I like it. That is how the sea looks and it is natural and healthy.
Notice the pregnant bleeny.









And I took these in the sea. Notice the growth.













To be successful in this hobby, we need to observe what the sea actually looks like where our fish come from.

And very few people dose peroxide in the sea.

 

[John_A]

So, just a little update. I've been blowing off all my rocks, then sucking all the stuff up into a filter sock. I’ve pulled as much of the algae off the rocks as I can, then stirred the sand and removed all the gunk. After the lights go out, I am dosing peroxide into the sump. It seems to be working slowly. My snails and hermits are cleaning the rocks. The plan is to continue doing this each night until it clears.

 

[John_A]

Just checking my Nitrate and Phosphate levels Nitrate is setting at between 2-5 on the test kit the Phosphate is still showing 0 should I just let it ride or does a small amount of Phosphate to prevent Dinos?

 

[John_A]

Here are some better pictures

 

[Schlafrig]

What test are you using for phosphate and nitrate?

 

[John_A]

What test are you using for phosphate and nitrate?

Both are Salifert

 

[John_A]

Tested this Morning Nitrate 2 Phosphate 0 I'm try to let it go away Naturally with things eating it etc but Don't want things to bottom out with N&P any suggestions on adding anything or let it continue to go

 

[commod0re]

I do have a pencil urchin also

Pencil urchins are cool looking but from what I’ve read they mainly eat coralline so you may not be getting the help you’re looking for out of it