/ Register

  1. Do you have an old account but can't access it?


    See Accessing your GIRS Account or Contact Us - We are here to help!

Nutrient export

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Charlie B, Sep 15, 2011.

  1. Sep 15, 2011 #1
    Charlie B Waukee

    Charlie B

    102
    Waukee
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I have a question I am hoping a more experienced reefer can help me with  I recently switched to Rod's food from the San Francisco Bay frozens they sell at Petco.  I initially started feeding as much Rod's as I had been feeding the previous food, and within 4 days I had a massive algal bloom on the sides of my tank as well as hair algae growing on my live rock.  I have since switched to feeding every other day instead of daily, feeding them about a 1/4 inch by 1/4 piece from the Rod's flatpack.  It has been about a month and the algae is just starting to come back under control, but my main question is short of continuing to feed them this little, what else can I do to prevent another bloom?  I have a 29 gallon tank with 1 fairy wrasse, 2 clowns, a bicolor blennie, and a psudochromis, with a handful of zoa/paly frags, a couple of torches and a mushroom.  I just ordered a protein skimmer which will arrive Monday.  I know the best solution is probably to set up a sump, however my wife is diametrically opposed to that idea, so I need to work around it with some other alternative.  I do a 5 gallon water change once a week with RO/DI water, and during this bloom my nitrates were around 60 ppm and my nitrites were in the .5 ppm range.  I don't currently have a way to measure phosphates.
    I have seen things like phos systems etc, is something like that a good idea/necessary?  Or is the ticket to just keep feeding them every other day?  Also my random thing I think I have learned in this process is that Rod's food packs a much higher nutrient load than the frozen cubes I was using.
    Thanks!
     
  2. Sep 15, 2011 #2
    Bela

    Bela Inactive User

    2,210
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    How long has the tank been running?
    You are likely right about the rod's. Less food likely goes a much longer way. What were you feeding before?
     
  3. Sep 15, 2011 #3
    Bullet

    Bullet Inactive User

    130
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    If you are getting that much algea you for certain have phophates. You are on the right track to get a skimmer. Even a cheap HOB will help. You need to get your nitrates down and without a skimmer your only option is water changes. If it were me I would bump it up to 5 gallons 2X/week sucking up and picking/scrubbing anything I see. As far as feeding....your corals will be fine. without food. Feed your fish very sparingly with something other than those "mixes" until you get your parameters under control.
     
  4. Sep 15, 2011 #4
    Actuary Adel, IA

    Actuary Well-Known ReefKeeper

    705
    Adel, IA
    Ratings:
    +145 / 1 / -0
    In my old 28g cube I had a little fuge running with chaeto in the back. You can get an LED light on the back glass to illuminate it. That should go a long ways in naturally reducing your NO3 and PO4.
     
  5. Sep 15, 2011 #5
    Charlie B Waukee

    Charlie B

    102
    Waukee
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    The tank has been running for about 5 months now.  I was feeding the frozen San Francisco cubes from Petco.  I just had my water tested and my nitrates are back down to nearly 0, I guess I need to just keep feeding sparingly and try not to envision my fish being hungry.
     
  6. Sep 15, 2011 #6
    AJ

    AJ Inactive User

    5,011
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    The protein skimmer will be a good addition. If you have a 29 Gallon BioCube, you may want to check into some of the products made by InTank. They have some nice media baskets that you can insert right into the back of your BioCube. You could add some phosphate reducing media like GFO to reduce/remove the phosphates.

    I would keep up the water changes to keep your nitrates down. You may also want to do a little cleanup of the rear chambers of your biocube (i.e. suction out excess detritus) as there could be bits of uneaten food that's collecting and rotting, resulting in increased nitrates.

    http://shop.mediabaskets.com/BioCube-29_c16.htm

    Good luck!

    --AJ

     
  7. Sep 15, 2011 #7
    Charlie B Waukee

    Charlie B

    102
    Waukee
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    It is actually just a standard 29 gallon rectangle. If it was a biocube I think it would be easier with all the optional accessories.
     
  8. Sep 15, 2011 #8
    Bymers311

    Bymers311 Inactive User

    109
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    AJ is definitely right about the inTank products, they are awesome. Something that could still be useful for your tank is the new media baskets he is making for for the Aquaclear filters. Could give you more filtration, allow you to run the different phosphate reducing filter medias, and add a little extra flow to the tank.
     
  9. Sep 15, 2011 #9
    waterfowler

    waterfowler

    280
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0


    Thats what I would say. I don't like putting in foods that can't be eaten in 5 min including the cloud Rods leaves. I'm not saying don't use it just vary sparingly with better filtration. IMO I wouldn't use it till you have skimmer, GFO and carbon, but I like a very clean tank. -Josh
     
  10. Sep 15, 2011 #10
    waterfowler

    waterfowler

    280
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Also rinse your food/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif
     
  11. Sep 15, 2011 #11
    Charlie B Waukee

    Charlie B

    102
    Waukee
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    To add insult to injury the intake on my hob filter was clogged, which means my carbon wasn't getting it's full effect. I found a small leak in my tank too, so it looks like I have a decision to make.
     
  12. Sep 15, 2011 #12
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

    8,890
    West Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,823 / 14 / -0
    I wish I had seen this before you stopped by, I could have shown you my algae scrubber. I run a 120 packed reef and feed about 1 square inch of that DIY food each day and rarely have a problem. I just tested this evening N=0 P=0.13, but that never goes below 0.09 on this tank because the N=0 meaning it's Nitrate limited. I actually have to add Nitrate to the tank to get the P to drop. But everything does fine, the SPS grow a bit slower (and thicker) and the LPS/softies like it a little dirtier. The fish are fat and happy, no PWCs, just dosing alk cal mag and the trace comes from the algae and additives in the DIY food. And I don't rinse the food either, the algae sucks up everything.
     
  13. Sep 15, 2011 #13
    Charlie B Waukee

    Charlie B

    102
    Waukee
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I....may have to stop by again!
     
  14. Sep 16, 2011 #14
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

    8,890
    West Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,823 / 14 / -0
    Here all weekend, just call ahead man
     
  15. Sep 17, 2011 #15
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

    3,985
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    One thing about Rods food is it is near phosphate free.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...