Macroalgae Nitrate Export

[Greenmaster]

Wow look at the diff a cheep light and some circulation made
Did you do the phosphates right though?

[daniella3d]

Phosphates are easily removed with ferric oxide though, and maybe it is more efficient than micro algae to remove phosphates?

Originally Posted by Greenmaster

Wow look at the diff a cheep light and some circulation made
Did you do the phosphates right though?

[Megalodon]

GFO is so expensive though. I'm trying to wean my tank off it with chaeto however phosphates don't appear to be consumed as readily as nitrate. I hear it's the same problem with a carbon source, the bacteria consume nitrate and phosphates in a ratio that leaves excess phosphate. There's some reefers recommending to go back to bio balls because of this, LOL. I'm not sure if this is true or not. Oh well, GFO stays in my tank for now. So does the chaeto.

[Zoaelite]

The NP biopellets work well but I agree that they take out more N than P, because of this I'm running GFO in a phosban reactor. Between the two I'm happy with my phosphate levels.
Levi

[Megalodon]

Originally Posted by zoaElite

The NP biopellets work well but I agree that they take out more N than P, because of this I'm running GFO in a phosban reactor. Between the two I'm happy with my phosphate levels.
Levi

I wonder about that bio-ball theory. Some claim to have struck a balance by re-indroducing bio-balls (or other nitrate factories), which increases macro algae growth, or, skimmate with carbon source/bio pellets, and results in almost no phosphates or nitrates. It would save a lot of money on GFO if true.

[bioload]

Originally Posted by Megalodon

I wonder about that bio-ball theory. Some claim to have struck a balance by re-indroducing bio-balls (or other nitrate factories), which increases macro algae growth, or, skimmate with carbon source/bio pellets, and results in almost no phosphates or nitrates. It would save a lot of money on GFO if true.

Interesting?

Not entirely sure what has happened? The day 2 test using 24/7 compact fluorescent lighting showed an increase in the level of nitrate.



I may have botched the last series of test and the results somewhere are not correct, or there is some nitrate being released back into the system with 24hr lighting. I guess that is why many test are required before coming to a conclusion, which is why I'll not make any regarding 24hr lighting at the moment....more to come.

Regardless, I think I can say that Algal tests were positive overall and I will continue to use on my 75gallon. I've started continuous flow between the scrubber and DT using the MJ400 and will monitor growth and system nitrate in coming weeks.

Keep in mind that the tank has no other means of export at the moment in the form of a skimmer or water changes and there are no plans currently to start.

[bioload]

Day 2 - Didn't expect to much change