Starting an algae reactor?

[jcates]

Ok so I have installed an algae reactor, Saturday, and put in two tennis ball sized portions of chaeto. I quit dosing nopox as it doesn't play well with chaeto as I understand. Running it opposite my light schedule with some overlap for a total of 15 hours. PO4 is rising as I wait for the chaeto. (.05) with puts in .17 range now.

Now the question is can/should I run a little gfo while this is getting established or dose Phosphat-E? Or neither and just be a little more patient? Just trying to make sure I don't have any crazy spikes that will bother sps while switching over

 

[Quietman]

I would manage nutrients to keep from any negative impact to corals and gradually reduce that control as the reactor comes up to full capacity. If you can manage GFO so it doesn't pull too much out, that's fine. I had better luck hitting targets using lanthanum chloride though.

 

[jcates]

I would manage nutrients to keep from any negative impact to corals and gradually reduce that control as the reactor comes up to full capacity. If you can manage GFO so it doesn't pull too much out, that's fine. I had better luck hitting targets using lanthanum chloride though.

That was my thoughts as well. At least with lanthanum it's a more measured approach.

Thanks

 

[vetteguy53081]

GFO may have an affect on the chaeto. Allow the unit to seed itself which will reduce the phos and nitrate - which GFO is often used for

 

[jcates]

GFO may have an affect on the chaeto. Allow the unit to seed itself which will reduce the phos and nitrate - which GFO is often used for

That's what I am planning just trying to have a plan if things get too high and start effecting acros.

 

[roggy23]

Ok so I have installed an algae reactor, Saturday, and put in two tennis ball sized portions of chaeto. I quit dosing nopox as it doesn't play well with chaeto as I understand. Running it opposite my light schedule with some overlap for a total of 15 hours. PO4 is rising as I wait for the chaeto. (.05) with puts in .17 range now.

Now the question is can/should I run a little gfo while this is getting established or dose Phosphat-E? Or neither and just be a little more patient? Just trying to make sure I don't have any crazy spikes that will bother sps while switching over

What ya mean as you wait for the chaeto?

 

[jcates]

What ya mean as you wait for the chaeto?

To establish and grow out from a smaller ball. That didn't take as long as expected though, I am now harvesting regularly