chemistry hypothesis

It could be the lack of phosphates keeping the algae low. If you are running bio-pellets, the bacteria utilizes both phosphates and nitrates. so if your phosphates are 0, then you probably aren't supporting enough bacteria an the bio-pellets to consume the nitrates. you could probably slowly lessen the amount of phosgaurd you use to see if that increases the bacteria on the pellets and the nitrates start to come down. however, monitor it closely because you definitely don't want to add elevated phosphates to the problem. then you will have algae.

 

Well, of course I don't have a test for nitrite. I do for phosphate. Let me see what that is and I'll post it. I can also test KH, is that something I should do also?

 

ok, FWIW, if I'm reading the results correctly, I am between 11 and 12 dKH and .5 on phosphates. That seems to be ok, no?

 

I actually prefer the idea of putting some more xenia in there to see if that helps. I've read their growth can get out of control but I really like them actually.

 

that is too high in my opinion. well, so much for my theory.