nutrients checking?

[1-9-06]

if i've got sponges growing and some small algae that just wont go away so..i've got excess nutrients right? but what ways are there to check for them? just the reeflab test kits with a couple additional test kits? i've been running years with this problem and it's not just the ugly duckling stage. check my gallery to see my setup. could this be extra brine thats not eaten. i've got 300 snails in the sump.

[mr9iron]

You could test for nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, ammonia, calcium, DKH and so on. Generally nuisance algae is caused from a build up of execssive nutrients in your system. How often are you doing water changes? What is the volume of your water changes? Do you use a protein skimmer and is it adequately sized for your system? Also, do you RODI water or tap water. These are several things that could provide clues as to why you are experiencing algae. Pictures of the type of algae you have would be helpful as well.

[1-9-06]

most can be answered by the gallery om my profile. the water is ro/di and i add almost 5 gallons a day water topoff while checking the salinity.i mix new salt in with ro/di to compensate for the mad amounts of evap and topoff water. that would not be a goodenough exchange of new water to the reef?

[1-9-06]

i do all those tests you mentioned and seem to be well within or perfect parameters all the time also. the calc is usually high but not over 500 ever

[1-9-06]

i have 2 fluval canister filters running but always cleaned every couple months alternating cleanings.

[JetCat USA]

Originally posted by 1-9-06
.......i mix new salt in with ro/di to compensate for the mad amounts of evap and topoff water.

Salt doesn't evaporate so there is no need to add salt back to any water that is top off from evaporation.

also water changes are for nutrient export and replenishing trace elements that are depleted, just topping off doesn't do anything for either of those, you're only allowing more and more build up of excessive nutrients in the system, you have to dilute those with the water changes.