Question about phosphates?

[gleach]

I have heard there are 2 types of phosphates organic and inorganic. Correct me if I'm wrong but organic phosphates are the ones that most testing kits check? I have been told that you should have a bit of phosphates? Also I've heard that brown hair algae can eat the phosphates not allowing a accurate test? In my 60 gallon reef and fish aquarium I think I'm having this issue. I know my tank is fairly young being that I started the tank January 1st of this year. I have 4 fish and a few corals and roughly 70 lbs of LR and a sand bed. I have a refugium with macro algae a sump running a protein skimmer (bubble magus curve 5) media reactor running chemi pure elite and added some phos-ban. The reason I put the phos-ban in was because I was getting a pretty big brown hair algae bloom and after doing some research found that the algae is caused by high phosphates. Just to clear up some of the questions I know are coming. Yes I do use ro/di water and I do weekly 25% water changes. If anyone has any useful info on phosphates or hair algae I would like to know if what I'm doing is okay with the phos-ban.

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[nelix10]

Seems like your setup and maintenance are good! What is your feeding schedule?

 

[gleach]

It was once a day with omega one small pellits. Now every other day with the pellets and once every other week with mysis shrimp mixed with some Reef solution vitamins and minerals I feed to my nem and favia usually the fish will catch some.

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[gleach]

Okay experiment # 2 turn down lighting intensity and duration today at 5pm.

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[nelix10]

I personal am using phosgard! Does a little quicker job of removing phos! Removes silicates as well!

 

[gleach]

Yeah it definitely made a noticeable difference but after cutting down my lighting duration and intensity my hair algae has really started backing down. Guess the bad thing is I test 0 for phos in my aquarium at least the organic kind I believe. I did weigh the proper amount of phos guard for my set up.

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