Algae Reactor - Is It Right for Me?

[nickkohrn]

I have been battling dinoflagellates due to undetectable levels of nitrates and phosphates, and I purchased a doser so that I can bring them up. I plan on having an SPS-only or SPS-dominated system, so dosing is fine with me because that allows me to control the levels rather than react to them.

With that being said, I had planned on adding a Pax Bellum ARID n18 algae reactor before I started battling dinoflagellates. As chaetomorpha reduces nitrates and phosphates, would it be best for me to stay away from the reactor? I'm asking because I was thinking that having the chaetomorpha would allow it to outcompete the dinoflagellates and also provide a place for microfauna to thrive. I don't have the room in my sump for a proper refugium, so the reactor would be the next best thing.

Should I hold off on the reactor, or would it be beneficial once I have my phosphates and nitrates stable?

 

[NY_Caveman]

I have been battling dinoflagellates due to undetectable levels of nitrates and phosphates, and I purchased a doser so that I can bring them up. I plan on having an SPS-only or SPS-dominated system, so dosing is fine with me because that allows me to control the levels rather than react to them.

With that being said, I had planned on adding a Pax Bellum ARID n18 algae reactor before I started battling dinoflagellates. As chaetomorpha reduces nitrates and phosphates, would it be best for me to stay away from the reactor? I'm asking because I was thinking that having the chaetomorpha would allow it to outcompete the dinoflagellates and also provide a place for microfauna to thrive. I don't have the room in my sump for a proper refugium, so the reactor would be the next best thing.

Should I hold off on the reactor, or would it be beneficial once I have my phosphates and nitrates stable?

I would probably hold off on running a reactor until you resolve the current issue. That said I am not certain if growing Macroalgae would have any direct effect on dinoflagellates, but since it would remove nutrients it would seem counterproductive.

Maybe #reefsquad has some thoughts.

 

[Lasse]

IMO - this is not easy to answer because it is two different strategies in order to run a reef aquaria.

In a new aquaria - it easy to build up a surplus of inorganic N and P and use of different methods to reduce the "spill over" (inorganic N or P that´s not used in the system) is in common use. Even methods to take away organic n and P is often used, methods like skimming, sand rinsing and micro bubbles.

With other words - the main issue is to take away the surplus nutrients from the water column with different methods. However - in a mature aquaria normally high biomass of corals have been established. In these aquaria - the growth of the corals use a lot of inorganic N and P and a competition will take place between "take away methods" and the demand from the corals (read zooxanthella´s) need of inorganic N and P. Another popular method when you want to only reduce inorganic N and P is a refugium, algae reactor or algae scrubber. ​

The most used strategi to handle this is a reduction of these mechanical, chemical and microbiological methods (Skimmer, aeration, GFO, nitrate reactors, dosing organic carbon ans similar methods) and rise the feeding regime. With the different "Algae methods" - you can in some way manage the nutrients concentration by varying biomass and light regime. Algae methods do also give a chance to achieve other goals like pH regulation and oxygen production during night time (reversed lighting).

Another strategi is to try to of regulating down the inorganic N and P to zero and after that keep one of these methods as a safety belt and dose inorganic P and N on a daily base. with measurement and regulating the dose - you have control that you do not go down to zero. In my mature aquaria I use this method and I prefer an algae method as a safety belt. It is different reason for this - one is that algae (at least macro algae) will take up a lot of inorganic nitrogen - very good if you use dry food that is normally very high in N content compared with the P content. It is not 16:1 in these foods - rather close to much higher N to P rate - close to many macro algae ratio (up to 80-1) There is also reasons to believe that at least macro algae can use chemical ware fare against unwanted micro algae and that they will release some sugars and amino acids to the water. A growing refugium (or chaeto reactor) will also give some good nitrification to the aquaria.

In your case - decide witch strategy you will use and if you chose the second strategy - I would recommend a Chaeto reactor as your safety belt.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[nickkohrn]

IMO - this is not easy to answer because it is two different strategies in order to run a reef aquaria.

In a new aquaria - it easy to build up a surplus of inorganic N and P and use of different methods to reduce the "spill over" (inorganic N or P that´s not used in the system) is in common use. Even methods to take away organic n and P is often used, methods like skimming, sand rinsing and micro bubbles.

With other words - the main issue is to take away the surplus nutrients from the water column with different methods. However - in a mature aquaria normally high biomass of corals have been established. In these aquaria - the growth of the corals use a lot of inorganic N and P and a competition will take place between "take away methods" and the demand from the corals (read zooxanthella´s) need of inorganic N and P. Another popular method when you want to only reduce inorganic N and P is a refugium, algae reactor or algae scrubber. ​

The most used strategi to handle this is a reduction of these mechanical, chemical and microbiological methods (Skimmer, aeration, GFO, nitrate reactors, dosing organic carbon ans similar methods) and rise the feeding regime. With the different "Algae methods" - you can in some way manage the nutrients concentration by varying biomass and light regime. Algae methods do also give a chance to achieve other goals like pH regulation and oxygen production during night time (reversed lighting).

Another strategi is to try to of regulating down the inorganic N and P to zero and after that keep one of these methods as a safety belt and dose inorganic P and N on a daily base. with measurement and regulating the dose - you have control that you do not go down to zero. In my mature aquaria I use this method and I prefer an algae method as a safety belt. It is different reason for this - one is that algae (at least macro algae) will take up a lot of inorganic nitrogen - very good if you use dry food that is normally very high in N content compared with the P content. It is not 16:1 in these foods - rather close to much higher N to P rate - close to many macro algae ratio (up to 80-1) There is also reasons to believe that at least macro algae can use chemical ware fare against unwanted micro algae and that they will release some sugars and amino acids to the water. A growing refugium (or chaeto reactor) will also give some good nitrification to the aquaria.

In your case - decide witch strategy you will use and if you chose the second strategy - I would recommend a Chaeto reactor as your safety belt.

Sincerely Lasse

Thank you for the detailed response!

From what I understand, it seems like I should hold off on the algae reactor for now. Since I will be dosing, then I can dose and monitor so that I can learn to maintain stable levels of nitrates and phosphates. Then, I can employ the algae reactor once I start seeing a rise in those levels above where I want them to be.

Based on my understanding, does that seem like an appropriate plan?

 

[nickkohrn]

I would probably hold off on running a reactor until you resolve the current issue. That said I am not certain if growing Macroalgae would have any direct effect on dinoflagellates, but since it would remove nutrients it would seem counterproductive.

Maybe #reefsquad has some thoughts.

I think you’re correct. I should hold of and wait until I’m able to keep my nitrate and phosphate levels stable and above where I’d like them to be before employing a method to reduce them.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Why are N and P so low currently? Are you carbon dosing or using some other mechanism of export? What is your fish bioload and feeding schedule?

 

[nickkohrn]

Why are N and P so low currently? Are you carbon dosing or using some other mechanism of export? What is your fish bioload and feeding schedule?

I’m not sure why they are so low.

I have a 10g holding tank while I’m waiting on my Waterbox to be delivered. It houses two clownfish, and the filtration consists of a single 8”x8”x1” MarinePure plate. I feed a mixture of pellet and frozen Reef Frenzy twice daily. I can’t seem to get nitrates and phosphates up to detectable levels. I’m not dosing, and I don’t have any additional means of exportation.

 

[roberthu526]

I would get rid of the algae before starting a reactor. Otherwise you may get Dino in the reactor before you can grow chaeto.