Pineapple sponges? How to reduce

[AydenLincoln]

Manual removal, reduced feeding to lower nutrients, and time as the tank matures.

 

[bhanko]

Have you tested the silicate level in your RODI?

I haven’t. Need to pick up a test. Anyone know of a reliable one? Salifert?

 

[bhanko]

Where do you see elevated phosphate?? IMO, your phos and nitrates are too low...

I’m just going off the recommended phos of .03. I do agree nitrates are low, they have been slowly climbing.

 

[bhanko]

I'd ask basically the same question -- why are they a problem for "you"?
*to me they're free, natural filtration at worst, unless they're causing some issues (mechanically or cosmetically)

Only an issue because 1) I’m new to this hobby and everything is scary (lol) and 2) just worried that they will impede the float sensor for the fleece roller/ start clogging things up

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I’m just going off the recommended phos of .03. I do agree nitrates are low, they have been slowly climbing.

Most do not recommend phos that low. At all.

 

[JoJosReef]

Awesome thanks. Anyone know what the cause could be. I think I read somewhere that it could be silicates which I’ll test for with the triton icp and go from there. Any advice appreciated

You likely have enough nutrients and conditions for their growth (silica for their skeletons, dissolved organic carbons for them to eat, etc.). I consider them most welcome for nutrient consumption, particularly DOCs. Just keep an eye on equipment so that they don't block sensors or obstruct flow for pumps.

Here's a good thread post with helpful links to read:

Pineapple sponges!?

www.reef2reef.com

 

[JoJosReef]

Your phosphates are fine where they are. Can go up or down, just not to zero. Nitrates could go up a bit. But all that depends entirely on what is living in your tank and what you put into the tank every day.

Do you have nuisance algae problems? That could be pushing down your nutrients. My phosphates are 0.06-0.1, and my nitrates are near zero, but I dump a a TON of variety food in daily, so corals seem to be getting what they need.

 

[bhanko]

Your phosphates are fine where they are. Can go up or down, just not to zero. Nitrates could go up a bit. But all that depends entirely on what is living in your tank and what you put into the tank every day.

Do you have nuisance algae problems? That could be pushing down your nutrients. My phosphates are 0.06-0.1, and my nitrates are near zero, but I dump a a TON of variety food in daily, so corals seem to be getting what they need.

I had a large cyano outbreak at about month 4. I tried to keep it under control by water change/ manual removal almost daily and finally gave in about 3-4 weeks ago and used red slime removal. Immediately after, had a bloom of turf and gha that I seem to have eliminated with cuc and a lawnmower blenny. So as of now other than some surface algae on the back glass it seems to be quite under control (for now)

Currently in the tank is a bengai cardinal, one clown (lost its partner to a fast moving illness), a diamond goby, lawnmower blenny, tuxedo urchin, marble sea star, a bubble tip anemone and numerous corals.

I feed the equivalent of about 1 frozen cube in avast marine jerky using the plank (2 feedings / 1 min per) daily.

In my qt I have a flame angel, blue hippo, and sail fin that will be going in once qt is complete. Will up the feeding schedule at that point.

I’m going to pick up a silicate test to test the rodi water just to see and have the triton icp done just for a good baseline.

 

[907_Reefer]

All I can add is that I grow pineapples in higher Nitrates (30+) and higher Phos (0.9+) pretttyy well also. Not a problem to me, except as noted if they interfere with equipment. Basically I just clean them from my feeder tube (Avast also), but let them rock out in the skimmer.

Current tank has been up for 2 years, but moved twice in that time with new sand each move. Common new-ish tank phase, enjoy the added filtration otherwise

I have not tested silicate in this tank.