+mcallahan Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 I'm working on an upcoming show and I need a tank that has high phosphates - i.e. phosphates that will register on a non-low range test kit. Any takers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derekreefer Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 I never test for it so my tank is prolly high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share Posted January 9, 2011 I never test for it so my tank is prolly high. do you have any algae problems in your tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishypets Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Since my skimmer took a dump mine are at .06 which is high for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derekreefer Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 I have some algae. Most of its purple. I have some tjoigj thats a weird dark color on a few rocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share Posted January 9, 2011 clint..are you seeing any algae issues in your tank? Derek...purple but not coraline algae correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishypets Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Not really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derekreefer Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derekreefer Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Right, i'll try to take some pics for u Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derekreefer Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 What kinda skimmer are u goong to get clint. I think I decided on a DSA 70 reef ready Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotusstar Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 (edited) I am in a constant fight with algae. I originally had an API test kit that I tested phosphates on. I could never read the colors well enough to figure out if I had .25 or .5 but definitely had some. I've always had a very brown sand bed, I siphon it every other week when I do my water changes. About 15g on a 92g tank, and within a few days the algae comes roaring back over the sandbed. I thought flow was the issue and having dead spots, so I upgraded by powerheads to the point I have sand blowing around but still get lots of algae growth. So also just before buying powerheads I invested in a Hanna Checker, I figured surely it would show my phosphate levels reliably. Each and every time I test with the checker it shows 0.0 phosphates. So it's an absolute mystery. Also since I bought the tank, May of 09, I have used a BRS GFO reactor, and change the GFO monthly. I seem to be destined to have a brown "hairy" substrate no matter what I do. Also I only use 0 TDS water from a RODI unit I purchased. Another issue I thought it may have been was a subpar skimmer, it was an ATI BM skimmer but the cup was cracked so didn't know if that was affecting it's performance. So about 6 weeks ago upgraded to an ATB 840. So not a perfect candidate for what you are looking for since you want someone registering high on the phosphates, but man am I frustrated. Anyway, good luck! I've watched several of your videos recently since discovering them. Very informative and fun to watch too. Edited January 15, 2011 by lotusstar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share Posted January 15, 2011 lotusstar...thanks for the nod on the videos. Keep in mind that your phosphates are likely 0 because the brown algae you are talking about is eating all the phosphates up. 0 phosphates with algae in the tank is a common experience for people. That being said, I'll PM you phone number and we can get together. I'd love to help you with your issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migs Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 What do usually see as a result of high phosphate? I have an API kit that registers 0 but fight cyano, diatoms, and some alage. I switch to a bigger tank in May/June last year so the tank is still pretty new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cMidd Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 You could always switch your (I'm guessing white) sand bed to black. Then no more brown! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share Posted January 15, 2011 You could always switch your (I'm guessing white) sand bed to black. Then no more brown! haha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cMidd Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 this would, of course, not fix your problem. Was only halfway serious. Good luck mcallahan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migs Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 I finally got a hold of a high sensitivity phosphate test... mine were at .06... that is after a TLC SAT treatment... just got a phosban reactor... i hope it gets me back done and helps color up some sps and gets rid of cyano and algae i have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted January 21, 2011 Author Share Posted January 21, 2011 I finally got a hold of a high sensitivity phosphate test... mine were at .06... that is after a TLC SAT treatment... just got a phosban reactor... i hope it gets me back done and helps color up some sps and gets rid of cyano and algae i have. I'll be curious to see if you get any results from the SAT. I tried that stuff and saw nothing from it except an empty bottle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migs Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 I wish i had the kit to measure before and after... this is my second weekly dosing of it... i am hoping phosban does the trick... if so, i have half a bottle if you want to try and measure it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted January 21, 2011 Author Share Posted January 21, 2011 I wish i had the kit to measure before and after... this is my second weekly dosing of it... i am hoping phosban does the trick... if so, i have half a bottle if you want to try and measure it. The phosban will do the trick. My tank runs @ 0 phosphates (PPB) so if I added the TLC and that number went up, that'd be really bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsea Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 I have readable phosphate levels on my growout tanks outside. I had neglected this system last winter when water heating cost hit $300 a month. I have now selected cool water tolerant species of red macos we will see what a natural phosphate removal system does. I do have phosban but don't intend to use it. Hopefully when it is time to prune the seaweed I can eat it. Mark, I will be going to the Next Wave Conference in Dallas next month. Gerald Heslinga of Indo Pacific Sea Farms will be speaking on sustainable mariculture of eadiable seaweeds. He asked me to send him pictures of my growout system, as meager as it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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