Rock Releasing Phosphates?

I'm currently experiencing some type of algae outbreak, which I posted in the algae forum. I've been trying to get to the root cause of the obvious phosphates....I'm running a 75g w/ 30g sump/fuge which holds a large ball of chaeto and gracilaria. I only feed 2x a day...with small amounts. Tank specs can be found in my sig...

I started with 50lbs of LR and added 50lbs of base rock. I won't name the source, but they are very reputable and the rock is nearly bleached white with many many holes and is said to be mined from ancient reefs in Florida (Key Largo?).

The guy at my LFS was telling me this stuff can bind up phosphates over the years, and then after being place in your tank...BAM! I'm not sure of the validity of this, so I'm throwing it out there for you fine people!!!

Does this sound like a valid source of phosphates?

And how long does "base" rock typically take to become stable and full of life (considering it is seeded with a 1:1 ratio of live rock to base rock)

Thanks!

 

It will take a month or so to become live, several months to start looking like live rock. Your algae problem most likely stems from detritus build up in the small pits in your rock.

 

At least 1-2x per week I baste the low flow and crevices...

Another useful note...all bulbs are new

 

Basting off the detritus doesn't mean much, it needs to not sit on the rock. As it decomposes, the rock will absorb phosphates and nitrates quickly, then leech them slowly over time as the concentration is lower in the water around it.

 

How about the base rock?

 

si rock can do that whether that is whats going on can't say for sure.

 

"si rock" ???

 

Read this to end. Great article that is similar to your problem. Yes it is possible concerning the phophates in L.R.

Green Hair Algae by Stephen Hopple - Reefkeeping.com

 

si means yes in spanish

 

That doesn't mean that we heard "Yes, rock".


I heard "Ciroc ultra premium vodka".