Phosphate reactor

I was woundering if a phosphate reactor would get rid of the hair/bryopsis algea that i have? I tested for phosphates and it says 0 but im thinking its using it up to fast. I have also tested Nitrates and they dont hardly register (trying to match colors doesnt work well).

 

It might work, but I would try to find out the source of it first.

What kind of water do you use for top off's?
How often do you feed and how much and what kind?
How old are your bulbs?
Do you do WC's? and if so, do you syphon the sand as you do it?
How often do you change/clean out your filtering media? Luna

 

Hope that helps.

 

This is copied and pasted from www.saltwater101.com

phosphates
Phosphates are not toxic to your fish, but are a food source of algae. Elevated phosphate levels can lead to large amounts of algae. Phosphates can be kept down by changing water regularly, not overfeeding your fish and making sure that your water source does not contain phosphates.

Also, Do you have a refugium? Do you have a skimmer? What is it rated for and what size system do you have? When was the last time you changed out the filters in the R/O unit? Have you tested the water for TDS? Luna

 

I sorta have a fug. its tied into my sump and i got a big ball of cheato and sand in the bottom of it. Skimmer yes and its under rated for my size tank. when i got it it was over rated for the current tank but then i up graded to a larger tank. the filters on ro/di unit are same age as bulbs and no i havent tested for TDS.

 

In most R/O units, the filters( sediment, carbon and pre-filter) should be replaced every 6 months or so. You should have either a portable or a in-line TDS unit to test for TDS. They will let you know when its time to change out the filters. It has been my exp. that a good flow through cheato works best. If its possible, I would also up-grade to a bigger skimmer. Keep in mind that you need to take into consideration your whole set up, not just your DT. Add all your tanks(DT, sump, refug) up and add another 50 gals to that. I'll give you an example, my system is 145g and my skimmer is rated for 200gals.

Heres a decent TDS meter.....


Luna

 

Thanks Luna, I have taken my sump and everything into consideration. The skimmer thing is probably gonna have to wait they are pricy to say the least. Wouldnt be so bad if i wouldnt have lost 15 hrs of OT at work lol. But i will look into getting new filters and a TDS meter. Thanks for ur help.

 

I found that in my tank I felt like I was beating my head off the wall with algea and I found mine to be the bio-balls had collected gunk as I scrapped the algea but dident know it was getting into the balls. I found it and im virtually algea free. It really helped that I tracked down what the cause was. These guys were right.

 

nope, bryopsis has been around before the dinosaurs.

i dont use them, replaced with live rock

do you have a tds meter on your ro,di?

 

Hi, after finally listening to my LFS buddy and bought the poly Phosphate reactor and used Pura Phoslock, in 3 weeks the hair was all but extinct...buy one! You won't regret it.