Algae Blooms, Phosphates And Ph

[Locke]

Hey all,

I just recently started a saltwater aquarium about two months ago. It's a 20gal. fowlr tank with 24/7 protein skimming/H.O.T Magnum canister filter with biowheel. I only use distilled water or RO water when available. The contents are: 1 blue devil damsel (for cycling) 6 red legs, 6 astrea and 4 brittle stars.

My problem though, is that... well, I know algae is going to grow, I just didn't know that it would be out of my clean-up crew's hands. What steps should I do to lower the phosphates in the water and what other steps should I take to lower the algae content of my tank?

I'm also wondering how I can bring my pH up and lower my nitrates? And,... I have another really stupid question, can astrea snails right themselves??


Parameters as of 7-27-06:

Nitrates: 10ppm
Nitrites:0ppm
Ammonia:0ppm
pH: 7.8

 

[N1z]

to raise your ph u can buy liquid buffers or powder ones but its important to keep it at 8.1/.2 as for nitrates im having same problem so good question.

 

[Locke]

Thanks N1z. I just started the tank, one of my fish buddies said that I shouldn't expect the pH to be at 8.2 yet. I don't know. Anyone else's thoughts?

 

[maidenfan]

hi i struggle to keep my ph at 8.2 normally find it to be 8.0, i also find it to be different at different times of the day, when i see it dropping below 8.0 i add a little buffer powder in RO water usually about once a fortnight

as for the algea test yor SG make sure your hydrometer is accurate mine wasn't thought my sg was 1.023 when it was closer to 1.019 when tested using refractormeter

test for phosphate if you have it use rowaphos filter sponge to help remove it then wait remember algea blooms are all part of the settling down of the tank

my nitrates climb to about 10ppm inbetween water changes too

 

[SkiFletch]

10ppm of nitrates is actually the sign of a good nano keeper, well done . Getting to 0ppm on a tank that small with no refugium is very difficult, you're doing a good job as is.

I agree with your buddy, a pH of 8.2 should not be expected till the tank is at least 6 months old. There's LOTS of chemistry which goes into this. Suffice it to say that your ionic balance isn't perfect when the tank is younger. Usually there are lower levels of iodine and magnesium which through a lot of ionic and preciptate reactions keep the pH a little low. 8.0 is just fine for a new tank, dont worry. If you really want to know more about chemistry in a reef, check this article out and just about anything else by Randy Holmes-Farley. Quick answer, dont use buffers, just relax and let the tank mature.

About the algae, try to run a phosphate media. Rowaphos is GREAT but its not that popular in the states yet and you might have some difficulty finding it. You might have to go with like a Kent phosphate binder. It can be run in a women's stocking near some flowrate, or you could stick an airstone in it and flow through that way. Your choice. Either way, phosphates are only one fuel for algae in a new tank. Silicates also need to be consumed before you'll see your algae stop growing. The best way to do it is to vaccum up the surfaces the algae is on when you water change and wait. Over the next month or so it should start to become under control.