Algae and nutrients

[Cleanreefer]

I think there’s some misconceptions when it comes to algae that maybe I’m not understanding let’s say a tank has lots of algae nutrients are low because of a false reading for phosphate and nitrate because the algae is eating it up, so what do you do? water changes to strip it and or run phosphate remover ? Assuming phosphate is on the higher side but 0 nitrate

 

[Stealthreefer]

Wait. The algae is growing because of the nutrients. Why would it be a false reading?
Phosphates being high is usually a sign of doing too much something or the source water being full of phosphates.

 

[Uncle99]

I think there’s some misconceptions when it comes to algae that maybe I’m not understanding let’s say a tank has lots of algae nutrients are low because of a false reading for phosphate and nitrate because the algae is eating it up, so what do you do? water changes to strip it and or run phosphate remover ? Assuming phosphate is on the higher side but 0 nitrate

If you have zero nitrate, water changes will keep it zero, which is not a good parameter to maintain and may be a contributor to the current growth rate.

First, you got to scrub off what you can.
Employe a few Astrea snails on affected areas.

If you believe your testing results, then bump nitrate into the slot 5-10ppm and phosphate adjust downwards to 0.05ppm to .15ppm and maintain these levels solid. GFO can bind phosphates but be sure to test daily to ensure it doesn’t zero out.

Reduce white light is possible, but not if it interferes which corals needs.

 

[Spare time]

Lots of algae thriving can mean you have a high input of nitrogen products and/or phosphate, not that you have a high value residing in the water column at any time. However, I often see algae as an issue of not having enough things eating it rather than having too much N and P.

 

[Cleanreefer]

This isn’t my tank but the same algae I have on my rocks it’s driving me nuts I cannot figure out what it is

 

[Dan_P]

I think there’s some misconceptions when it comes to algae that maybe I’m not understanding let’s say a tank has lots of algae nutrients are low because of a false reading for phosphate and nitrate because the algae is eating it up, so what do you do? water changes to strip it and or run phosphate remover ? Assuming phosphate is on the higher side but 0 nitrate

Some additional thoughts.

If the algae is consuming nitrate and phosphate, resulting in low test results, what will water changes accomplish, right? And if the algae is growing well with the water being depleted of nitrate, why would reducing the phosphate level help?

 

[Cleanreefer]

Some additional thoughts.

If the algae is consuming nitrate and phosphate, resulting in low test results, what will water changes accomplish, right? And if the algae is growing well with the water being depleted of nitrate, why would reducing the phosphate level help?

Good idea so what do you do to keep the algae away ? Reduce further future nutrients and work at the algae ?

 

[Dan_P]

Good idea so what do you do to keep the algae away ? Reduce further future nutrients and work at the algae ?

Physical removal might be the only way to get rid of macro algae, either by you or organisms like an urchins and snails. There are claims that certain chemicals kill algae, but maybe not 100% of the time. Adjusting nitrate and phosphate levels might be the least successful approach to algae control.