Help with phosphates! Please!

[fish_king_25]

29g mixed reef has been going through some algae issues for the past 2 months or so..and I'm looking for some advice on where to go next..

My system information is in my signature...So about 6 weeks ago i purchased a reactor and have been running GFO (and GAC off and on) since then..My chaeto algae has stopped growing, and at this point is looking like it's dying. I was under the impression that although that stinks, my water was being stripped of phosphates, and I was making progress on the big picture. a week ago i pulled the reactor out of my sump, and was just going to let the chaeto keep things under control, and was hopig to see it color up and start growing from any additional phosphates that may have been in my setup. I have been testing my phosphates for months using the Salifert test. It is IMPOSSIBLE to distinguish PO4 levels on that card once you get below a certain point so I finally bought a Hanna checker and it was delivered today.....

.08 is what I tested at, and I know I performed everything perfectly..What now??

1. Mandarin in my tank is currently FAT, 10 months old, and now my chaeto is **** near death, and I am afraid my pod population is going to suffer..

2. Should I remove my chaeto altogether (looks really dismal) and run the GFO reactor and continue to test phosphates until they are down to a desirable level and THEN remove it and let the chaeto work?

I just don't know what to do at this point..I don't want to risk losing my mandarin because I removed my pod's home, because at this point having one for almost a year in my set up is something I've worked hard for...but I can't seem to get chaeto to stay alive with the GFO reactor running..any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Reefing Madness]

You may have to give the Cheato a lil more time. .08 is pretty good, but your cheato should take hold again. Your light on it good?

 

[fish_king_25]

I'm using the CPR Aquafuge light, and the bulb is maybe 6 months old.. So it should be fine. GHA and cyano says .08 could be better lol. My chaetos got cyano on it, things are just a mess

 

[fish_king_25]

What do you think about taking my next WC old water, and shake the chaeto out so all the cyano and junk gets off of it?

 

[Reefing Madness]

AH, get some flow in the fuge then, bet you just have normal flow from the tank going through there, try gettin a powerhead in there. Also, if that lamp is 6 months old, its shifted color, and may not be useful to you anymore. Those lamps normally should be replaced every 6-9 months, they don't last very long. But, it is probably not your issue.

 

[fish_king_25]

Maybe its a lighting issue, I didn't really think about that..I've got some cyano in the display so the phosphates are still an issue..I have a GFO reactor in the fuge chamber of my sump and the flow from that mixes things up pretty well in there, I don't think lack of flow could be the issue for the chaeto..I'm just at such a crossroad bc GFO will help knock the phosphates down, but my chaeto won't grow at the same time, but if I don't run the reactor, the chaeto isn't working fast enough on the phosphates

 

[Reefing Madness]

Thats why I don't advocate running Macro Algae unless you have a ton if it. You could run half your current GFO and see if the Cheato comes back in the mean time.

 

[fish_king_25]

My current plan is...that I need to get phosphates down, so my sps live, and so my algae starts to go away faster..I've decided to remove all the chaeto/cyano and siphon the fuge section of my sump clean, and put my reactor back in and run GFO until I've made enough of an impact..all the while I'll supplement my mandarin with pods (not cost effective, but all well) and once I feel chaeto should be able to take over, I'll remove the reactor, and put a NICE big ball of chaeto back in the clean fuge, and try again! Thoughts?

 

[Reefing Madness]

I feel you will run into the same thing once you try to throw the cheato back in. But, I know why you need to do it. Its worth a shot.

 

[fish_king_25]

I feel you will run into the same thing once you try to throw the cheato back in. But, I know why you need to do it. Its worth a shot.

I did it today, so my reactor has been back online for a couple of hours..I'm hoping once the phosphates are closer to .02-.04 that the chaeto will take over as my primary nutrient export, and I'll be able to keep them down by not overfeeding, water changes, etc. I don't know if it will work, but like you said, I've gotta give it a shot.. I'll keep you posted with my tests and results..

Thanks for your help!!

 

[Reefing Madness]