New tank syndrome in an addition?

[Cal_stir]

OOPS, I thought you said "Explaining algae with NTS is a crock"

[Myka]

I'm pretty sure I made it rather clear that the only algae that counts for NTS is diatoms, everything else is a nutrient issue. The tank has a nutrient issue, but there is enough competition within the tank that it is not apparent. Is there an echo in here?

If the OP has any more questions about his tank, I'm sure he will ask them.

[reefermadness]

I agree with 99.99% of what you are saying. I will say that if you have lots of hair algae you probably have a nutrient problem but to get a tuff here or there is possible with-out a nutrient problem.

Also I don't think diatoms is the only algae I see in the frag tanks I have set up. Right now I'm battling diatom, cyano (many consider it an algae but I know its a bacteria) cotton candy algae and some algae that is almost like a green hair but thicker and shorter. This tank is just about a month or so old tied into my system. I had a smaller frag tank previously and went through the same thing for months.

[doch]

OK... so my nitrates are as clear as clear can be on a hagen (go ahead and knock it) test kit. My phosphates did actually get a little on the high side... about 0.15 on a Hanna. I have since started running GFO again. I started full zeo, but there were a few things that I overlooked when I set it up. I read the instructions on the bottles, and followed them, not realizing that there is more of a set up process. I've ordered a new sump, and once I get that, I'll properly set up and run the zeo that way that it was supposed to be run. I don't really understand why the instructions on the bottles don't reflect these specifics. Oh well.

I also hijacked a few snails and hermits from the display tank and threw them in the frag tank... I'm sure this will help some.

Reallistically, this bloom is likely due to my phosphates creeping up. GFO has been on for about a week now, and I'm sure that the levels are down to <.1 which is as low as I was ever able to get it on my old tank.

How do you bring your phosphates down to 0.00?

[Myka]

I'm not sure how sensitive the Hanna Checker is compared to the D-D Merck kit, but even people using Zeovit rarely get down to 0.00 ppm phosphate using the Merck kit. Getting to 0.08 ppm is doing quite well. Keep in mind that if you have any algae growing in the tank the true phosphate level will be higher as the algae are sucking it out of the water column as it grows. Sometimes, but not always you can get a higher phosphate reading if you test in the morning before the lights come on. You're doing everything right regarding phosphate.

As far as Zeovit goes, have you joined the Zeovit forums yet? Which Zeovit products are you using? I would suggest you just use the Zeolites, Bak, Food, and Start to begin with. Don't start using any of the other additives until you have removed your tank of every little bit of algae. Absolutely do not follow the directions on the bottles when it come to the other additives. I was using 1/4 what the bottles said and got the best results that way. I was not able to dose Iron or B-Balance without getting algae blooms. If you get diatoms or cyano when you start the additives you're dosing too many additives.

[reefermadness]

All I know is I bought a hanna checker and got 0.00 and tested 3 times. It was a while ago though.....and I know I must have some...but its low.

The hanna p04 checker is +/- .04ppm accuracy. Really not that good considering most people recommend PO4 to be less than .03ppm.

[StirCrazy]

plus remember the test kits we can afford only measure inorganic phosphate not organic phosphate. so it is quite possible to get 0 phosphate readings but still have phosphate.

as for the rest I agree with Myka 100%

Steve

[reefermadness]

Are you guys saying I have a nutrient problem?

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by reefermadness

Are you guys saying I have a nutrient problem?

haha, mexican turbo snails will mow down the cotton candy in no time. I had it in plague proportions and they took care of it with in a week.

Steve

[Myka]

Originally Posted by reefermadness

Are you guys saying I have a nutrient problem?

Yup. If your tank has nuisance algae anywhere...then ya. If you can grow chaeto like no tomorrow...then ya.

Diatoms are essentially the warning flag of problems that are going to arise if something isn't done. If you see diatoms, replace GFO and look at nitrate/phosphate levels and sources. You know the saying, "Fart is [poop]'s warning call."