Biocube 29 Phosban reactor??

[legacy2mj]

Im having some issues getting rid and keeping green hair algae out of my tank. No matter how much I scrub it still finds it way somewhere else. I added a bad of Chemi Pure elite to the tank in hopes it would reduce my phosphates enough to starve it out. But after a month or so there seems to be no change. I am now looking at adding a Phosban reactor to the tank. Just wondering what and how much to put in the reactor, and if anybody else has done this or had any experience with adding one to a biocube. Any information is useful and appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[Akida17th]

Im having some issues getting rid and keeping green hair algae out of my tank. No matter how much I scrub it still finds it way somewhere else. I added a bad of Chemi Pure elite to the tank in hopes it would reduce my phosphates enough to starve it out. But after a month or so there seems to be no change. I am now looking at adding a Phosban reactor to the tank. Just wondering what and how much to put in the reactor, and if anybody else has done this or had any experience with adding one to a biocube. Any information is useful and appreciated.

Thank you!

I wouldn't use the Phosban brand reactor. They tend to leak. Just run it next to your system and place the reactor on a shelf or table next to it (or on top of the chiller if running MH) the tubing to the pump from the chamber chosen and dial it in correctly. I would recommend using Seachem Phosguard rather than GFO. Hope this helps, good luck!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Im having some issues getting rid and keeping green hair algae out of my tank. No matter how much I scrub it still finds it way somewhere else. I added a bad of Chemi Pure elite to the tank in hopes it would reduce my phosphates enough to starve it out. But after a month or so there seems to be no change. I am now looking at adding a Phosban reactor to the tank. Just wondering what and how much to put in the reactor, and if anybody else has done this or had any experience with adding one to a biocube. Any information is useful and appreciated.

Thank you!

How often did you replace the chemipure elite?

Are you monitoring phosphate?

 

[legacy2mj]

How often did you replace the chemipure elite?

Are you monitoring phosphate?

I replace the elite every 2 months, and currently dont test for phosphates. I plan on getting a test kit soon.

 

[kendavjac]

Had the same issue with my 29 cube. Here is what worked for me. If you have algae then you have a phosphate and/or Nitrate issue. First, make sure your Nitrates are very low. Make sure your using RODI water with 0 TDS. Not sure how much you feed, but cut your feeding. I currently have 3 fish and only feed 1/4 to 1/8 of a cube of frozen a day. You can get a Hanna Checker, but this will only tell you how much "free" phosphate you have in the system. I use mine about once a month. I usually just look at my tank, if there is more algae, then I have a nutrient problem. get a good mix of snails for a clean up crew. Put a skimmer in your second chamber and skim wet. Your rocks are probably leaching phosphate out, so depending how long you have been set up and how much phosphate they have, it may take weeks or months to get the excess phosphates out of the system. I used GFO in the past, but I'm not sure how much it helped. I feel good house keeping is the key. I also use a turkey baster to blow of my rocks occasionally. When I had algae I did it once a day, now about once every couple of weeks. Until then, keep scrub the rocks with a tooth brush and cleaning/changing filter pads out regularly. FYI: I got the media basket insert from In Tank and use pillow stuffing instead of filter pads. much cheaper.
Like everything else in reefing, time and consistency are the key to beat this.
David

 

[legacy2mj]

Had the same issue with my 29 cube. Here is what worked for me. If you have algae then you have a phosphate and/or Nitrate issue. First, make sure your Nitrates are very low. Make sure your using RODI water with 0 TDS. Not sure how much you feed, but cut your feeding. I currently have 3 fish and only feed 1/4 to 1/8 of a cube of frozen a day. You can get a Hanna Checker, but this will only tell you how much "free" phosphate you have in the system. I use mine about once a month. I usually just look at my tank, if there is more algae, then I have a nutrient problem. get a good mix of snails for a clean up crew. Put a skimmer in your second chamber and skim wet. Your rocks are probably leaching phosphate out, so depending how long you have been set up and how much phosphate they have, it may take weeks or months to get the excess phosphates out of the system. I used GFO in the past, but I'm not sure how much it helped. I feel good house keeping is the key. I also use a turkey baster to blow of my rocks occasionally. When I had algae I did it once a day, now about once every couple of weeks. Until then, keep scrub the rocks with a tooth brush and cleaning/changing filter pads out regularly. FYI: I got the media basket insert from In Tank and use pillow stuffing instead of filter pads. much cheaper.
Like everything else in reefing, time and consistency are the key to beat this.
David

I will have to check on the Ro water i purchase from my LFS... but I do run a skimmer and also purchased some Phosphate Media to run in a silk bag hoping it will help. I did also get a bunch of snails to help remove the algae.. I also plan on ordering a LED upgrade Kit from Steves LED next week, I dont know if that will help at all. But im still pretty excited about it.

 

[glb]

I will have to check on the Ro water i purchase from my LFS... but I do run a skimmer and also purchased some Phosphate Media to run in a silk bag hoping it will help. I did also get a bunch of snails to help remove the algae.. I also plan on ordering a LED upgrade Kit from Steves LED next week, I dont know if that will help at all. But im still pretty excited about it.

The Steve's LEDs are great, I have them on my 12g nano, but they are much brighter, so you could make the algae problem worse if you don't dial them way down. I have this same problem in my tank so I'm following.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I replace the elite every 2 months, and currently dont test for phosphates. I plan on getting a test kit soon.

Two months is far too long if you have an active algae problem taht you are trying to combat.

 

[legacy2mj]

Two months is far too long if you have an active algae problem taht you are trying to combat.

OK good to know... Would you say once a month is more acceptable?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Better, but the GFO may be depleted in a few days or less if the phosphate is significant and/or the algae problem is severe.

 

[legacy2mj]

Better, but the GFO may be depleted in a few days or less if the phosphate is significant and/or the algae problem is severe.

What do you suggest?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Instead of combining the GFO with other ingredients in chemipure, which may not deplete as fast, using GFO alone may be a better bet.

 

[legacy2mj]

ok. I can do that... Also, just wondering. Do you think it may be an issue with my bioballs gathering too much filth? I have always had a carbon pad and filter floss above them, but just got to thinking about it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, detritus breaking down anywhere in the system, such as on bioballs, can contribute significant nutrients.

 

[glb]

ok. I can do that... Also, just wondering. Do you think it may be an issue with my bioballs gathering too much filth? I have always had a carbon pad and filter floss above them, but just got to thinking about it.

You can clean your bioballs when you do a water change by shaking them off in the water you took out. That will clear up some of the debris without killing the beneficial bacteria.