Looking for some direction on levels

[CWalters]

Tank is about 9 months old. Been battling GHA for awhile now and wonder what direction to go.

75 gallon tank
Nyos 120 skimmer
I do have chaeto, but doesn’t seem to be growing

Astrea snails, hermits, 2 tuxedo urchins, and a few other types of snails for CUC. Have a lawnmower Blenny and tomini tang.

15% weekly water changes and scrubbing rocks with toothbrush at the same time. Can’t seem to be gaining ground.

.3 Nitrate
.27 phos
1450 mag
435 calc

Would ideally like to stay away from chemicals if possibly. I understand my phos is high and would like a direction.

thanks

 

[Darth Clam]

Ditch the macro and get an upflow ATS

 

[Luke Crabwalker]

What is the Chaeto situation like? Do you have a light on it, is there enough flow over it?

Also, do you mean 30ppm nitrates? If so, the 15% water changes probably aren't doing enough to keep your nutrients low. If not, .3 nitrate is super low and .27 phos is very high. You should aim for around 20 nitrate max and under .1 phos to control algae in the display.

Also, can you post pics of the algae? If you really want to be sure grab a $40 microscope on amazon and check a sample out under there.

 

[LiLinka]

lower phosphate with GFO like rowa phos or phosguard. You seem to have answered your own question. Nitrates are a bit low as well

recommended

phosphate: 0.03-0.06 PPM
Nitrate: 5-15 PPM

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Tank is about 9 months old. Been battling GHA for awhile now and wonder what direction to go.

75 gallon tank
Nyos 120 skimmer
I do have chaeto, but doesn’t seem to be growing

Astrea snails, hermits, 2 tuxedo urchins, and a few other types of snails for CUC. Have a lawnmower Blenny and tomini tang.

15% weekly water changes and scrubbing rocks with toothbrush at the same time. Can’t seem to be gaining ground.

.3 Nitrate
.27 phos
1450 mag
435 calc

Would ideally like to stay away from chemicals if possibly. I understand my phos is high and would like a direction.

thanks

Phos is fine but nitrates should be about 30 with that level.

 

[bushdoc]

My thought is that it is better to have GHA than Dinos, so whatever you do, do it carefully.
Lowering phosphates to fast could lead to outbreak of Dinos.

 

[Luke Crabwalker]

My thought is that it is better to have GHA than Dinos, so whatever you do, do it carefully.
Lowering phosphates to fast could lead to outbreak of Dinos.

Good point. If his nitrates are actually .3 and phos is .27 I wouldn't be surprised if he already has dinos. That was the cause of my outbreak.

 

[CWalters]

What is the Chaeto situation like? Do you have a light on it, is there enough flow over it?

Also, do you mean 30ppm nitrates? If so, the 15% water changes probably aren't doing enough to keep your nutrients low. If not, .3 nitrate is super low and .27 phos is very high. You should aim for around 20 nitrate max and under .1 phos to control algae in the display.

Also, can you post pics of the algae? If you really want to be sure grab a $40 microscope on amazon and check a sample out under there.

I do have a kessil light on it that turns on when tank lights are off.
I just was unsure if my algae was giving me false readings and it’s truly higher than what I’m showing on the Hanna checkers

 

[CWalters]

My thought is that it is better to have GHA than Dinos, so whatever you do, do it carefully.
Lowering phosphates to fast could lead to outbreak of Dinos.

That's exactly why I do not want to just start throwing stuff at it. Was just looking for other ideas