Phosphates but no algae present

[Saltgator]

Ran across a thread somewhere on the web, phosphates without the presents of undesirable algae growth. Any truth or anyone ever seen a similar instance? I've always heard about PO4 leaching from the rocks or LS, but the presence of PO4 in levels of .25+ I'm sure would cause a outbreak of algae.

Country Boy using tapatalk on his EVO

 

[Connie]

I have personally had that situation before in my tank.

 

[Saltgator]

I have personally had that situation before in my tank.

Please tell what methods you used to combat it (gfo, wc, etc). Btw, thanks for the reply Connie.

Country Boy using tapatalk on his EVO

 

[LOVETHISHOBBY]

I personally keep gfo in all my systems to keep phosphates low. I also do 2-3 five percent water changes weekly.

 

[Saltgator]

I personally keep gfo in all my systems to keep phosphates low. I also do 2-3 five percent water changes weekly.

Thanks. I haven't ran gfo, just skimmed wet and wc. Might be considering gfo (light amount) again.

Country Boy using tapatalk on his EVO

 

[Reefing Madness]

I had that situation in my tank in the beginning, when I wasn't running RO/DI water, but I had Sponge growing all over the place, not so much any algae. Then again, maybe the Turbo Snails were doing their jobs.

 

[Saltgator]

I had that situation in my tank in the beginning, when I wasn't running RO/DI water, but I had Sponge growing all over the place, not so much any algae. Then again, maybe the Turbo Snails were doing their jobs.

Lol, I here ya on the turbos. My 4 zebras are larger than golf balls!!

Country Boy using tapatalk on his EVO

 

[mcarroll]

The Turbo's will get even bigger so keep feeding them!

And yes, Turbo's literally eat like horses, maybe even more than horses for their size, so the fact they are still alive and going strong (after how long?) indicates a strong, but well-groomed algae population IMO. (A lot of people end up wondering "What happened to my CUC??" cuz they overstocked/ran out of algae.)

Another thought that may be neither here nor there: There are many forms of phosphate, so maybe in this circumstance the form present is not particularly available for algae uptake but does still register in a PO4 test. Being the phosphate expert he is, I'm sure R. Holmes-Farley has written on this if more/better info is required.

-Matt

 

[Connie]

Please tell what methods you used to combat it (gfo, wc, etc). Btw, thanks for the reply Connie.

Country Boy using tapatalk on his EVO

I made several changes. I got a larger sump/fuge, added a mj1200 pump for good flow in the fuge, added a Dual Carbon/GFO reactor, increased water changes to weekly and started using Microbe Lift Special Blend. In the beginning, I couldn't figure out where the PO was coming from. I believe part of my problem was my washer. It is a frontload washer and it had fabric softener buildup inside. I researched and found that softener is full of PO. It helped a lot when I cleaned out the goo and stopped using the fabric softener for my clothes.

 

[Saltgator]

The Turbo's will get even bigger so keep feeding them!

And yes, Turbo's literally eat like horses, maybe even more than horses for their size, so the fact they are still alive and going strong (after how long?) indicates a strong, but well-groomed algae population IMO. (A lot of people end up wondering "What happened to my CUC??" cuz they overstocked/ran out of algae.)

Another thought that may be neither here nor there: There are many forms of phosphate, so maybe in this circumstance the form present is not particularly available for algae uptake but does still register in a PO4 test. Being the phosphate expert he is, I'm sure R. Holmes-Farley has written on this if more/better info is required.

-Matt

Thanks Matt. Sent you a PM. Pretty sure this as well as junk locked up in my substrate (BB is looking better every time). Great call. Between theses guys (4 golf ball sized zebras and numerous tangs and a foxface), the mowing crew is keeping and noticeable issues in check.

Country Boy using tapatalk on his EVO

 

[Saltgator]

I made several changes. I got a larger sump/fuge, added a mj1200 pump for good flow in the fuge, added a Dual Carbon/GFO reactor, increased water changes to weekly and started using Microbe Lift Special Blend. In the beginning, I couldn't figure out where the PO was coming from. I believe part of my problem was my washer. It is a frontload washer and it had fabric softener buildup inside. I researched and found that softener is full of PO. It helped a lot when I cleaned out the goo and stopped using the fabric softener for my clothes.

Thanks Connie.

Country Boy using tapatalk on his EVO