Tank Journal Archive

[dimitri]

Will running phosphate media in a bag in the sump or reactor inhibit coralline algae growth?

The only thing elevated in my tank to date is Phosphate 0.1 to 0.25 according to the Salifert test - water change helps slightly but not much.

The LFS has suggested putting a small amount of continuum captiv.phos W in a mesh bag in the sump until I sort out a reactor size that will fit.

Is this a viable short term solution?

 

[slin1977]

Purigen comes in a bag
Activated carbon needs no reactor. What I am getting at is your short term solution will work but may not perform to the standard of the manufacturer.

 

[Coralfarmer]

Po4 that high will very likely inhibit calcification, so yes it will prevent coraline growth

 

[gtrxu1]

My tank runs around .1 for the last few months, I have had an absolute coraline explosion to the point where its annoying, growing on the glass etc.
I put this down to having a dosing pump where alk/calc/mag is now very stable.

The difference between .1 and .25 is huge, maybe try a hanna or red sea kit. It could be lower than you think.

 

[dimitri]

My tank runs around .1 for the last few months, I have had an absolute coraline explosion to the point where its annoying, growing on the glass etc.
I put this down to having a dosing pump where alk/calc/mag is now very stable.

The difference between .1 and .25 is huge, maybe try a hanna or red sea kit. It could be lower than you think.

i have just ordered a hanna ultra low phosphorus checker to see what the true levels are..
hopefully should have a clearer picture by the end of the week, thanks for the info though, i really need to get the phosphate down to keep it growing, thats what i needed to know

 

[daveH]

Did you order the Hanna phosphorus or the phosphate checker - there is a big difference.
Apparently the phosphorus checker gives a more accurate reading of your phosphates but you need to use the chart to calculate the phosphate reading from your phosphorus result. Also the reagents are different.
I have and use both checkers.

 

[dimitri]

the phosphorus because it gives a true indication of whats in the water column, not whats been left over after it's converted and then bound in algae.

at least thats how i understood it.

 

[macca_75]

Have a read of the Redfield Ratio. It will help you understand C:N:P - it's not all about the absolute low number but having things in balance. Higher values of each in balance are actually better than lower values out of balance.

 

[ReeferRob]

The only dumb question is the one you didn't ask that got you killed.