Hidden Reef problems!

Why can't Gfo & bio pellet be ran odd times? Like 8-12 hrs a day or something.

 

The BP's will have die off if you don't keep current through them and make nasty stuff like hydrogen sulfide.

 

Everybody with a reef tank should read this. There will be a brief test afterwards.

Aquarium Chemistry: Phosphate And Math: Yes You Need To Understand Both — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

 

Nice article, would have been better for me if they used the foods I feed. I use SF Bay Mysis cubes, Veggie Feast, NLS Pellets, Formula 2 Flakes, and nori. Usually soaked in .5ml of selcon.

Pretty much- Food is bad M'kay, but there is little you can do about it. I did like the comment about illusion, and I know some aquarists that freak out over testing a little bit of water and such lol.

So Jerry, here is my Schtick: I have been using a Hanna ULR Phosphorous Checker and and never tested more than 4 ppb, yeah b as in BILLION. Obviously this is categorically untrue since I have a bunch of red slime and a couple tufts of GHA here and there. The flip side of the coin is that I've never had any browning out of my SPS, they just sort of lose tissue on the horizontal surfaces (displaying as burnt tips for Acros, and bald spots for M. danae and caps, and digis)

My solution is to do a 50%-60% water change, and re-engineer my sup to allow for less detritus in my skimmer section. I may however add a gfo reactor as well to make you happy.

Last but not least, the reason I think it may have been heavy metals. A month ago ALL MY NEMS migrated. I had 4 maxi minis and bailed and disappeared. One had been stable and fixed for 19 months.

Thanks again Jerry for taking the time to help me lets keep the idea ball rolling!

 

Did you also have a problem with clams, or am I thinking of someone else? You could very well have had a heavy metal problem. More the point of the phosphates is that they aren't bad at all, but necessary in the correct ratio. That's what is hard to maintain. I'm still learning much myself, no expert here by any means. Here is a Red Sea video that helps explain more. Red Sea Reef Care - Algae Management Program (episode 3/5) HD - YouTube

 

Yeah, I did. Your guess is as good as mine, but I got all the eshoppes out of my tank. Also my tangs like to eat clams i guess...... lol.

 

Throw in a piece of polyfilter and see if you get a color (besides detritus brown). Easy heavy metal test.

 

Thats a smart idea.