Ongoing Algae Problem

[ccCapt]

I had my phosphates tested, and they're undetectable.

The reason phosphate is undectable, besides the inaccuracy of our hobby grade test kits, is the fact all the phosphate in the system is being sucked up by the algae. If you have an algae problem, you have a phosphate problem too.

[MarkW19]

Originally Posted by roka64

How old are your lights? Remember, as lights get older, the spectrum will shift and can cause algae.
Fishcrack, cyano is a bacteria and not an algae, just a friendly FYI.

One of the lights is 8 months old, and the other 2 are about 6 months old.

But, this problem started a few months ago, when the lights would have been relatively new.

[MarkW19]

Originally Posted by cccapt

The reason phosphate is undectable, besides the inaccuracy of our hobby grade test kits, is the fact all the phosphate in the system is being sucked up by the algae. If you have an algae problem, you have a phosphate problem too.

Hmm, makes sense.

So, you're saying I should be trying some Rowaphos anyway, despite not being able to detect any phosphates?

[roka64]

Yep, the algae is suckin it down so fast, you aren't getting much of a reading.

[MarkW19]

OK cool, I'm pleased to hear that, as I was really hoping to find a high phosphate reading this morning, so that I could then do something about it!

I'm going to get some Rowaphos then. As I just had a very small internal filter, I'm thinking of getting some of the Rowaphos sponges, cutting them down to size (just small), and putting maybe 3 of them in different layers in between my current PURA filter pads.

Will that be OK?

Cheers for all the help guys.

[roka64]

How often do you clean out your filter? What about the pads, how often do you rinse them on your old SW? Do you have any sponges in the filter?

[MarkW19]

Originally Posted by roka64

How often do you clean out your filter? What about the pads, how often do you rinse them on your old SW? Do you have any sponges in the filter?

At the moment, the filter has a stack of 7-8 PURA filter pads in it, all cut down very small so they fit in the filter. I do PWCs every 2 weeks, and basically change the filter pads and clean the filter every 4 weeks (or less). I rinse the new PURA pads in old SW.

I just change them all at once, as my live rock is providing most of my filtration.

I'd be cutting down to 6-7 PURA pads, so that I could fit 2-3 layers of Rowaphos sponge in between.

[MarkW19]

Despite my apparent total lack of measurable phosphates, if I add the Rowaphos, basically the Rowa is "eating" the phosphates, so that the algae can't, and will/should therefore not be able to survive, is that right?

[roka64]

It should absorb phosphates, but I am not 100% on that specific product. Realistically, I am thinking they may be coming from your other filter media. Try replacing them when you do PWCs and see if that helps. I am also unsure on the capabilities of the Pura pads.

[melosu58]

Maybe I missed it but have you tested your PWC water to see if you are adding it to your tank.