Serious algea issues need help

scottywags · 01/31/2006, 07:46 PM

I am think of just tearing this tank down and starting from scratch. I've been battling algea for about 3 months now and it's just getting worse. I had my water tested by my LFS today and he told me everything was lookin good except my phosphates were OFF the chart. Seeing as though I have nothing else in the tank but new never before used sand and maybe 4 rocks ( that came from my established tank) I have to assume it's the sand.

Are phosphates something that go away, or is it something that you battle consistantly? Meaning if I spend the $100 to get a reactor and Rowaphos, will it be something I can use until it goes away and then shouldn't have to worry again, or should I just break the thing down, remove the sand and start with fresh water?

I'll post pics so you can make a better decision.

LOTUS50GOD · 01/31/2006, 07:49 PM

Are you using tap or R/O?

What is the phosphate level of your water source....

You can reduce your phosphates by

Using Phosguard for 4-5 days... then Phosban in a reactor to maintain the lowered level

scottywags · 01/31/2006, 07:55 PM

I'm using Ro/Di, with brand new filters, this is "supposed" to be my frag tank. My main tank is having no problems. That's part of my question, will I always have to use Rowaphos, or is it a one time thing?

LOTUS50GOD · 01/31/2006, 08:06 PM

Not sure about Rowaphos... but I can vouch for Phosguard... to get it down.... then use a reactor to keep it down

scottywags · 02/01/2006, 07:26 AM

Anyone?

j0tca · 02/01/2006, 08:01 AM

Die off from the LR can cause high phosphate and huge algae blooms. I had a tank with 4' long hair algae. It lasted about 4 months, then one week, it all cleared up.

Anemonebuff · 02/01/2006, 09:20 AM

I started my 55 with tap water and the algae bloom was long and harsh. It took a long time to get it to go away.

01/31/2006, 07:46 PM	#1
scottywags Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Winter Springs, FL Posts: 866	Serious algea issues need help I am think of just tearing this tank down and starting from scratch. I've been battling algea for about 3 months now and it's just getting worse. I had my water tested by my LFS today and he told me everything was lookin good except my phosphates were OFF the chart. Seeing as though I have nothing else in the tank but new never before used sand and maybe 4 rocks ( that came from my established tank) I have to assume it's the sand. Are phosphates something that go away, or is it something that you battle consistantly? Meaning if I spend the $100 to get a reactor and Rowaphos, will it be something I can use until it goes away and then shouldn't have to worry again, or should I just break the thing down, remove the sand and start with fresh water? I'll post pics so you can make a better decision.

01/31/2006, 07:49 PM	#2
LOTUS50GOD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,210	Are you using tap or R/O? What is the phosphate level of your water source.... You can reduce your phosphates by Using Phosguard for 4-5 days... then Phosban in a reactor to maintain the lowered level __________________ Vertex Alpha 300 Skimmer, AI SOL Blue, Neptune Apex Controlled 360 gallon Reef Current Tank Info: born 6/26/2008- 340 reef + 100 fuge, 300lbs of figi LR

01/31/2006, 08:06 PM	#4
LOTUS50GOD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,210	Not sure about Rowaphos... but I can vouch for Phosguard... to get it down.... then use a reactor to keep it down __________________ Vertex Alpha 300 Skimmer, AI SOL Blue, Neptune Apex Controlled 360 gallon Reef Current Tank Info: born 6/26/2008- 340 reef + 100 fuge, 300lbs of figi LR

01/31/2006, 07:55 PM	#3
scottywags Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Winter Springs, FL Posts: 866	I'm using Ro/Di, with brand new filters, this is "supposed" to be my frag tank. My main tank is having no problems. That's part of my question, will I always have to use Rowaphos, or is it a one time thing?

02/01/2006, 07:26 AM	#5
scottywags Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Winter Springs, FL Posts: 866	Anyone?

02/01/2006, 08:01 AM	#6
j0tca Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 916	Die off from the LR can cause high phosphate and huge algae blooms. I had a tank with 4' long hair algae. It lasted about 4 months, then one week, it all cleared up.

02/01/2006, 09:20 AM	#7
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,877	I started my 55 with tap water and the algae bloom was long and harsh. It took a long time to get it to go away.