Phosphate, hair algae.

[Liverocknroll]

I have a few questions, awhile back hair algae started to bloom in my tank and it was relentless in spreading across my tank. When I went to a fish store the clerk sold me a sea hare, and within a weak most of the hair algae vanished. I had to remove the sea hare because it always crawled on my gsp rock. This annoyed the gsp to where it refused to come out so I got rid of him, after awhile the gsp started to come back out but the hair algae returned. This time it covered the gsp and almost smothered the coral to death, so I had to get another sea hare. The gsp is used to the sea hare now and comes out during the day but the algae is still visible in the tank and my phosphate is at .09. I have two lyretail anthias and one blotched anthias so I need to feed multiple times a day.
1.How much is a phosphate reactor for a 90 gallon tank?
2. Is there another way to reduce phosphate in my tank?
3. I dosed phytoplankton but I heard that is filled with phosphates, is this also true for reef energy b?
4. Will my protein skimmer not be enough to get rid of the phosphates?

[Mhay]

A protein skimmer isn't removing phosphates just decaying material. (fish poop, food, etc). A GFO reactor will help bringing down the phosphates to a level that the hair algae can't live. What are your phosphates at currently?

[Liverocknroll]

I received this tank from a previous owner and I believe the sand bed is probably filthy, should I replace portions of it with sand that comes pre conditioned with the biological media?

[Liverocknroll]

.09 phosphate .5 nitrate

[Liverocknroll]

5 ppm nitrate*

[Mhay]

Your phosphates are probably higher than that just the hair algae is eating it up. I'd def get a GFO reactor going. Do you know how old the sand bed is? I'm not sure if that could have an effect. I imagine it is a possibility.

[Liverocknroll]

The guy said It was a year old tank when I purchased it, it did not seem like he cleaned the sand at all. So the sand is a year old.

[Mhay]

Some people do and some people don't. I guess it just depends. I haven't been in the hobby long enough to know what would be best in your situation but at this point I do know a GFO reactor will help.

[Liverocknroll]

Thanks a lot, you have a clue on what kind I should get for a 90 gallon?

[JackandJill]

Originally Posted by Liverocknroll

1.How much is a phosphate reactor for a 90 gallon tank?

$40-$70 depending if you have a manifold off a return pump to run it off of, or if it will require its own pump.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-gf...or-single.html

Originally Posted by Liverocknroll

2. Is there another way to reduce phosphate in my tank?

Feed less, skim more effectively, increase water change size/frequency

Originally Posted by Liverocknroll

3. I dosed phytoplankton but I heard that is filled with phosphates, is this also true for reef energy b?

I don't know that specific product, but any coral or fish food introduced will contain phosphates (and nitrates). If using any coral food, I highly reccomend target feeding instead of dosing the whole tank.

Originally Posted by Liverocknroll

4. Will my protein skimmer not be enough to get rid of the phosphates?

As stated in another reply, it will not get rid of the current phosphates, but prevent some from existing.