Algae reduction tips

ReefHog10 · Aug 21, 2022

Is there a nitrate/phosphate "sweet spot" to reduce algae growth but not invite Dinos? I'm running a 32 gallon tank without a refugium. With my current mechanical filtration, small UV sterilizer and weekly water changes, nitrates are staying between 6-10 and phosphates are staying right around 0.25. I have 5 fish and lightly feed pellets/flake twice a week and frozen mysis twice a week as well. I generally dose microbacter 7 with the water changes weekly. I have persistent hair algae growth (not a ton, just enough to be annoying and requires weekly scrubbing/removal). I am awaiting the arrival of some NoPox I ordered that I'm hoping will help me lower the nitrates down, but I don't want to overdo it. Does a level exist where I will inhibit algae growth without risking bottoming everything out and dealing the opposite problem? Thanks in advance!

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Aug 21, 2022

1 or 2 top crown snails and or 1 pencil urchins. The top crowns being quicker.
D

Uncle99 · Aug 21, 2022

I think your nutrients numbers are just fine.
I’ve run nitrate at 15ppm and phosphate at .2ppm for twenty years. Zero in both or either is a bad number and triggers pest algaes to over take the good stuff.
Just make sure your parameters stay on point and time will fix that issue, it sounds like the system is young.
I can’t understand why people want to have ultra low nutrients if the tank is not SPS dominant, then maybe.