Frustrated

LOL, that does suck though I would check for copper

 

I would just about bet there is a little copper in the system. I would get atest and some copper absorber

 

Could be stray voltage as well. How do you have your ground probe hooked up? If you want I could stop by with a multimeter sometime.

 

that's a good one too

 

Im pretty sure your getting a false zero but the algae is using up the nutrients

 

what type of algea is it...what does it look like? Could it be dinoflagellates...brown snot with air bubbles. That will kill anything that eats it...and/or they starve because they wont eat it.
Also what is your alkalinity? I am betting that it is a little low.
Your phospate is zero because the algea is pulling it all out of the water system.

if you can post a pic of the algea and post your alk, SG, etc.

Also test for copper and get a ground probe if you dont already have one...

 

Have the grounding probe installed in the sump. Algae is not feeding off phosphates. I have a reactor and was already at 0 before it ever showed up. Plus I only feed every 3-4 days. Seems to react more to light. Its a red turf variety.



SG is 1.026. I don't think my dkh is low because I add a buffer about every week or so but I'll check.

Invert deaths have been happening pretty steadily since I set up this tank. Tried to take all the steps to ensure their survival but just doesn't seem to work. Only think I haven't checked thus far is the copper and I was hoping that wasn't the cause.

 

Well, now that you posted the pic (should have done it from the beginning) you don't have algae as far as I can see, you have cyano bacteria. Get either Chemiclean or Red Slime Remover. Make sure you aren't overfeeding (you are probably on to that).

 

No its defintely algae and not cyano. It does not scrub off the rocks easily. Takes about 5 minutes with a toothbrush for a 1 inch area and its filamented. I've seen cyano before.