Question about phosphate and Algea

[Icy.bing]

Hi Guys,

I have being reading a lot about water parameters to reduce unwanted algea growth. I understand that when starting a new tank it is best to cure the rocks so that any excessive phosphates will leak out into the waste bucket and thus resulting in a leass algea pron beginning during the cycling process.

However I also read that if you kept your water too clean, it will also result in dino algea... so what is it exactly do I have to aim as for water quality?

Thanks

 

[NY_Caveman]

Hi Guys,

I have being reading a lot about water parameters to reduce unwanted algea growth. I understand that when starting a new tank it is best to cure the rocks so that any excessive phosphates will leak out into the waste bucket and thus resulting in a leass algea pron beginning during the cycling process.

However I also read that if you kept your water too clean, it will also result in dino algea... so what is it exactly do I have to aim as for water quality?

Thanks

Welcome to R2R! This is a great question. Live or dry rock? In my experience and research, curing often leads to a plateau in the Phosphate level for either. The rock will later adapt to its display tank environment when it is placed there. That is really a separate question.

What I did was cure dry rock to let some Phosphate leach out until it hit that plateau. Then I cycled it, matured it, then added it to the display tank. Could all be done in a display tank, but less water to change in a bucket. I added a good amount of live rock to that for my tank.

What happens to it when placed in the display is a whole separate question with many variables. Really depends on your filtration and the tank you want to run.

 

[Hitman]

Welcome to R2R!!!
I agree with NY Caveman.
To answer the other part yes you want the levels low but not zero. Your corals feed off the NO3 and PO4. Most shoot for levels around these but they are not the gospel as there are people with beautiful mature tanks with much higher numbers.
PO4 0.02 to 0.04 ppm
NO3 2 to 5 ppm

Here’s a video I think you’ll learn a lot from. It’s long but very informative and from one of our great supporting venders here!

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vide...althy-reef-tank-the-brs-wwc-system-ep9-brstv/

 

[Icy.bing]

Hello,

Thanks for the info. I actually found some great sticky on the algea section of the forum that kind of answered my question.

Im using dry rocks from someones tank they they tore down about 2 years ago. Right now it is sitting in the rubbermate with saltwater and powerhead for curing. It has being almost 3 weeks. Did some water change and I will be starting to test for PO4 on the mext water change.

I also heared that let your tank run as is in the beginning than try to result the algea problems when they arise? I have a cheato reactor and a skimmer setup. Do you guys suggest to run the cheato reactor and thebskimmer right away during the cycling process? Or wait until its fuly cycled? Or wait until there is a problem?

Thanks

 

[Hitman]

Hello,

Thanks for the info. I actually found some great sticky on the algea section of the forum that kind of answered my question.

Im using dry rocks from someones tank they they tore down about 2 years ago. Right now it is sitting in the rubbermate with saltwater and powerhead for curing. It has being almost 3 weeks. Did some water change and I will be starting to test for PO4 on the mext water change.

I also heared that let your tank run as is in the beginning than try to result the algea problems when they arise? I have a cheato reactor and a skimmer setup. Do you guys suggest to run the cheato reactor and thebskimmer right away during the cycling process? Or wait until its fuly cycled? Or wait until there is a problem?

Thanks

There are many debates on that question. Neither is wrong. Personally I waited until my tank was several months old before I started any reactors but ran my Skimmer from day one. I've had great success in my years. Others have done complete opposite and also have had great success. Here's a great video I suggest watching.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vide...althy-reef-tank-the-brs-wwc-system-ep9-brstv/