puntific Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 My Nitrate levels are zero but my phosphaste levels are still around .1-.2. I've been reading that phospahte levels can effect zoas a lot. How do you control your phosphate? Please give your reasons for chosing your method! If you are dosing, what are you dosing and how much? Thanks for playing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puntific Posted November 15, 2009 Author Share Posted November 15, 2009 I'm currently dosing with Vinegar because I make my KW with 1 T 4% acetic acid/liter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrd Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 I run a phosban reactor, the "two little fishies" one; http://www.marinedepot.com/filters_two_little_fishies_phosban_reactor-ap.html I have it beig fed my a maxijet 900. TH MJ feeds my UV sterilizer, Ca Reactor and the phosban reactor. My PO4 reads less than .02, and that is using a hanna meter-Oh and I feed as much as I want when I want-sometimes twice day. My NO3 is less than .01 as well-thanks to purigen in a filter bag, sitting in my return sock in the sump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algae Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Is it possible to get an accurate phosphate reading when you have algae either intentionally or not? I have heard that because Algae takes up phosphate quickly that it masks the phosphate readings that you get skewed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algae Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 I unbumped this and frankly I'm more intersted in this! Rebump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrd Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 I unbumped this and frankly I'm more intersted in this! Rebump. What type of algae are you talking and what amounts?? I'm not sure I follow the question. I have no algae in my tank, other than the trace amounts that collect on the glass that wipe away with my glass cleaner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blown65 Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Only thing I'd add is checking top off water for phosphates. Other than that I'd look at the foods and making sure the ones you are using are packed full of phosphates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadReefer Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Macro algae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Byrd- Do you have a Hanna Photo-meter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrd Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Byrd- Do you have a Hanna Photo-meter? No I dont, Patrick at SWF down the street has one. I have the Red Sea's kit, it goes from 0 to the next color being .1 I have taken my water to him a couple times and it tests at .02, so as long as my Red Sea kit shows zero I know I am at zero or point zero something, less than 1 for sure-(laugh) Travis at Upscales also has one-if you are ever up this way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I have a 0 reading for NO3 and PO4 but i know its there because my macro is growing well and i had red turf algae like no other. Even with a phosban reactor it didn't seem to make a difference. Then i added carbon dosing and i'm seeing a slowdown in the macro growth and a lot of the turf algae on my rocks has died back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puntific Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 I assume you meant ARN'T packed full... unless you mean it's good for the fish? Only thing I'd add is checking top off water for phosphates. Other than that I'd look at the foods and making sure the ones you are using are packed full of phosphates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puntific Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 So all you who voted for something else entirely... What is it???? Impure, what form of carbon are you dosing if it isn't the ones listed (Vodka, sugar or Vinegar)? Or maybe you didn't vote? Edit: OK, I'm a little slow. You voted D. Too early still. I have a 0 reading for NO3 and PO4 but i know its there because my macro is growing well and i had red turf algae like no other. Even with a phosban reactor it didn't seem to make a difference. Then i added carbon dosing and i'm seeing a slowdown in the macro growth and a lot of the turf algae on my rocks has died back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I'm using a reactor right now. My only problem is I have no test kit or meter to measure my actual levels. But I'm sure I have someform in my tank. Either from water, from food, from some type of leaching, or something. I believe everyone has some in their tanks and you just need to limit it as much as possible. PS- I also use macro algaes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowman Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Macro algae also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kshack Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I am doing "E". Carbon source plus bacteria source. I use Zeovit (Zeobac), but some use Brightwell (MB7). Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puntific Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 LOL at me. Macro algae also Wow. I can't believe I didn't list this one in the poll. I'm sure that's what most of the "other" responses are... If anyone is doing something "other" other than macro... I'm still curious. Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blown65 Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I assume you meant ARN'T packed full... unless you mean it's good for the fish? lol, sorry. Yes, it should of read aren't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I'm currently dosing 40proof vodka at 1ml/day along with 1-2 drops of MB7/day. I just reduced the amount of vodka from 1.4ml to 1ml this week. I had a couple spots of cyano pop up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 I don't test phosphates but when someone insists I do and normally hear a 0. I overfeed, run carbon, and purigen, and I have a good amount of cheato in my sump....does that help? I have a ton of zoa's and they are growing like mad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadReefer Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Chaeto will use phosphate as long as it has nitrate, iron and some other things needed to grow. Zoas and other corals should use a little as well. Chaeto and mangroves help me keep phosphate next to zero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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