Algae Problems and What is Working for Me

ddrueckh · 10/08/2015, 11:57 AM

First a disclaimer that this is what is working for me...your results may vary...

We have all seen a ton of posts about algae problems. The recommendations for most is to do a lot of water changes (using RODI water), run GFO in a reactor and feed less. Figure out where the phosphate is coming from and eliminate it. All sound advice, but I don't think this usually solves the algae problem.

I have had a GHA problem for about a year. I ran a ton of GFO (2 cups of BRS high capacity GFO in a PhosBan Reactor on a 60 cube every 2 weeks) and did lots of water changes. Nothing I did reduced the algae problem. I did not feed much at all. My RODI water has 0 TDS and when I test the saltwater I make for water changes it has 0 phosphates and 0 nitrates. I am positive all my tests are accurate as I have triple checked and used multiple test kits/meters.

I believe that once you have a tank with an algae problem, the algae out competes water changes and GFO. That is why phosphate test results always show 0. Doing water changes and running GFO on a tank with 0 phosphates doesn't do anything to remove phosphate. The algae takes in any phosphate much quicker than a GFO reactor with water slowly running through it. I believe that in order to get rid of the algae problem, you need to do two things:

1. Remove as much algae as you physically can. Pull and rip it out and throw it away. This removes the phosphate that is locked in the algae from the tank. This is only the first step as I don't believe you can physically remove enough to solve the problem. Don't get me wrong, it helps a lot and should be done...but more still needs to be done.

2. Get a clean up crew. Snails, crabs and an urchin. The cleanup crew will eat the algae. They will then poop. The best part of this is that they will take the phosphate that is locked in the algae and put it back in the water. Once it is back in the water, you can remove it with water changes and GFO. they do two things. They eliminate the algae and they put the phosphate back in the water where it can be removed. What else can you ask for from these fun creatures!

Once I added my cleanup crew my phosphates started going up. I no longer always have 0 phosphates. My GFO now has phosphate available to remove...I am not just throwing away good GFO any more. Water changes also remove phosphate.

I don't believe that GFO can rob algae of phosphate. It will only take any phosphate out of the water that passes through the reactor. In my experience, I have found that adding a GFO reactor will not "kill" your algae and eliminate it.

Just my thoughts and what is working for me. Hope it might help others...

Djturna4thakidz · 10/08/2015, 02:35 PM

Good stuff! Yeah, when my GHA starts coming back it usually means I have lost a portion of my CUC. By adding more inhabitants and doing a water change, it usually seems to get it in check.

10/08/2015, 11:57 AM	#1
ddrueckh Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 184	Algae Problems and What is Working for Me First a disclaimer that this is what is working for me...your results may vary... We have all seen a ton of posts about algae problems. The recommendations for most is to do a lot of water changes (using RODI water), run GFO in a reactor and feed less. Figure out where the phosphate is coming from and eliminate it. All sound advice, but I don't think this usually solves the algae problem. I have had a GHA problem for about a year. I ran a ton of GFO (2 cups of BRS high capacity GFO in a PhosBan Reactor on a 60 cube every 2 weeks) and did lots of water changes. Nothing I did reduced the algae problem. I did not feed much at all. My RODI water has 0 TDS and when I test the saltwater I make for water changes it has 0 phosphates and 0 nitrates. I am positive all my tests are accurate as I have triple checked and used multiple test kits/meters. I believe that once you have a tank with an algae problem, the algae out competes water changes and GFO. That is why phosphate test results always show 0. Doing water changes and running GFO on a tank with 0 phosphates doesn't do anything to remove phosphate. The algae takes in any phosphate much quicker than a GFO reactor with water slowly running through it. I believe that in order to get rid of the algae problem, you need to do two things: 1. Remove as much algae as you physically can. Pull and rip it out and throw it away. This removes the phosphate that is locked in the algae from the tank. This is only the first step as I don't believe you can physically remove enough to solve the problem. Don't get me wrong, it helps a lot and should be done...but more still needs to be done. 2. Get a clean up crew. Snails, crabs and an urchin. The cleanup crew will eat the algae. They will then poop. The best part of this is that they will take the phosphate that is locked in the algae and put it back in the water. Once it is back in the water, you can remove it with water changes and GFO. they do two things. They eliminate the algae and they put the phosphate back in the water where it can be removed. What else can you ask for from these fun creatures! Once I added my cleanup crew my phosphates started going up. I no longer always have 0 phosphates. My GFO now has phosphate available to remove...I am not just throwing away good GFO any more. Water changes also remove phosphate. I don't believe that GFO can rob algae of phosphate. It will only take any phosphate out of the water that passes through the reactor. In my experience, I have found that adding a GFO reactor will not "kill" your algae and eliminate it. Just my thoughts and what is working for me. Hope it might help others...

10/08/2015, 02:35 PM	#2
Djturna4thakidz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 399	Good stuff! Yeah, when my GHA starts coming back it usually means I have lost a portion of my CUC. By adding more inhabitants and doing a water change, it usually seems to get it in check.