I built my own algae scrubber

[joeyamador]

so I built an algae scrubber and wanted to know when attempting to run a “super clean tank” at what point do you have to start supplementing or attempt to increase your phosphate levels for tank health?

 

[P-Dub]

Generally, when phosphate levels fall below 0.05...

 

[Larry L]

I personally don't see the point of running methods to strip nutrients and at the same time dosing those nutrients. If nutrients get too low, back off on the stripping methods, e.g for algae scrubbers you could run less flow or shorten the lighting period.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I personally don't see the point of running methods to strip nutrients and at the same time dosing those nutrients. If nutrients get too low, back off on the stripping methods, e.g for algae scrubbers you could run less flow or shorten the lighting period.

There are good reasons in some circumstances, including the typical imbalance that depletes nitrate before phosphate (hence one might dose phosphate to allow more nitrate uptake with using algae or organic carbon dosing), and, at least with some methods such as organic carbon dosing, the method itself has other benefits (such as providing organic foods) and so one might reasonably consider dosing both N and P to permit a lot of bacterial growth.

 

[Will Milberger]

Sorry, off topic. Are those the light mounts that came with the lights? Looking for light mount ideas.

 

[OriginalUserName]

Wouldn't it be easier to slowly dial back the photoperiod on the scrubber when your nutrient levels get too low?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Wouldn't it be easier to slowly dial back the photoperiod on the scrubber when your nutrient levels get too low?

Only if N and P get too low together, rather than just nitrate (or less commonly, phosphate).

 

[OriginalUserName]

Only if N and P get too low together, rather than just nitrate (or less commonly, phosphate).

Fair enough.

 

[Bacon505]

Where do you buy the sheet for algae to grow on?

 

[lion king]

Where do you buy the sheet for algae to grow on?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0033P73YA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[joeyamador]

I got mine from hobby lobby. Michaels has them too.

 

[joeyamador]

Sorry, off topic. Are those the light mounts that came with the lights? Looking for light mount ideas.

No they are the swing/flex mounts. They tend to sag so I ziptied a metal dowel rod I bent as par testing took to long and I didn’t want my settings affected by the light constantly falling.

 

[joeyamador]

Where do you buy the sheet for algae to grow on?

I got mine at hobby lobby.

 

[Marc88]

Question... What would be an appropriate Nitrate to Phosphate ratio? I'm running cheato in a fuge and have a ratio of .02 P (hannah) to 25 PPM N (Salifert). Tried adjusting by turning off skimmer for 8 hrs no change. Seems like my Cheato exploded in growth and has recently stalled. Trying to get my nitrate down without a water charge. Would this be a time to dose phosphate so nitrate could be consumed?