Cant get Phosphates down

[WindowMaker]

Hi all,
I have been combating algae issues for quite some time and seem to have hit a stand still.

I run RODI
I run GFO
I run filter socks
I run a euro reef skimmer

nitrates and nitrites are undetectable

I have constant battles with red algae, It is frustrating the crap out of me. I also have started getting buildup on the glass again (this had stopped for a while). My hanna checker reads at .05

any other things I can do to attempt to curb this? I am reaching my wits end...

thanks for your help.

[sphelps]

What kind of red algae? It's not cyano is it?

[WindowMaker]

red sheet on the bottom. I think that is cyano...

[Douglas]

Do you have sand? and option is to remove it. Go bare bottom. I've never had an issue, with Phosphates, with a bare bottom tank. But that's just my opinion.

[George]

How big is the tank? How many fish and what type? How much do you feed them? Is it possible to cut back the feeding?
GFO works. You might not use enough of it. Increase your GFO. measure the effluent from GFO, if PO4 is not 0, change your GFO.
Grow macro algae in ref or building a algea scrubber.
keep up with water change.
Your rocks may leak phosphate if they were in high PO4 water previously.
liquid or solid carbon dosing will help, but they need nitrate. You don't have any nitrate. Is your nitrate value correct?
Skim wet.
Some use Lanthanum Chloride with success. Google it because you have to be careful using that stuff.
Good luck.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by WindowMaker

red sheet on the bottom. I think that is cyano...

yeap that's cyano, it's actually more like bacteria than algae so cutting phosphates back will have little effect. The best way to deal with it is by removing as much by hand as possible and then using a red slime treatment such as chemiclean.

[Madmak]

A 3 or 4 day lights out period helps a lot as well. Total darkness is key.

[WindowMaker]

so should I wrap the tank in a blanket when the lights are out?

[Snaz]

Originally Posted by WindowMaker

so should I wrap the tank in a blanket when the lights are out?

Double sheet newspaper works great. I have done this for up to seven days with the result of eradicating all green algae but unless the phosphates are removed the algae quickly grows back.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by WindowMaker

so should I wrap the tank in a blanket when the lights are out?

I would use the chemical approach, you won't rid a cyano problem with blankets.