Diatoms? Yes, I messed up

Discussion in 'Algae' started by scajeo, Feb 28, 2015.

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  1. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    I'm a huge fan of biopellets and I use all in one. Also, I tried phosgaurd in a reactor and it worked well for me. I hated dealing with gfo, I used rowaphos and it was just a pain to rinse and constantly adjust. Phosgaurd was just set and forget for a few days.
     
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  3. zesty

    zesty Sailfin Tang

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    This I can unfortunately confirm. Dinos are just wicked evil and I don't know exactly what I did to get rid of them, but I know I will give them the finger if I ever see em again. And I say that with baited breath. I'm still gun shy about water changes and when I do them, I get particularly nervous.
     
  4. scajeo

    scajeo Sea Dragon

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    I have been using biopellets since day one. At first I got this "hairy" white looking stuff on the top plate of the bio reactor but it has since disappeared. I used to broadcast in big portions with a lot of it settling down before the pumps come on. Now I use a baster and feed small amounts at a time, waiting on that to be consumed before adding more.

    I am using a carbon reactor right now. If I had to do one or the other which one should I do the carbon or phosgaurd?

    I've asked for a microscope for fathers day this year. Is it extreme, probably, but I'd like to know for sure what I'm dealing with. Nothing has attacked my corals, which I'm very thankful for but I worry all the time. The WC I did yesterday will probably be the last one for a bit as I hear and you and Cheryl confirm that it increases the dino bloom.
     
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  5. scajeo

    scajeo Sea Dragon

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    Thanks for the replies and help everyone.
     
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  6. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    Carbon and phosgaurd are two totally different products. I would put carbon in a bag in a high flow area in the sump like chemipure blue. Great stuff by the way. Use the reactor for phosgaurd or gfo. I've never had one issue with phosgaurd but I noticed some corals did not like the gfo. This is a debatable subject so I'm just going off my experiences.
     
  7. zesty

    zesty Sailfin Tang

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    So, would you use biopellets and phosguard? Not sure if I follow...

    A microscope would be awesome, I wonder if you could find one used? I know here in town, we have a store named "American Science & Surplus" http://www.sciplus.com/ and they'll have used lab equipment there, all sorts of glassware. Such an awesome store, plus a bunch of toys for the kids! You may be able to find an older microscope there that is cheaper than new.
     
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  9. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    I used phosgaurd with my biopellets while they were getting established to keep phosphate in check. After a month and a half I read 0 phosphate for 3 weeks straight. Now the biopellets handle all of it.
     
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  10. scajeo

    scajeo Sea Dragon

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    I was thinking about doing the same and run both to see what would happen.

    I run a carbon reactor because the sump is to small and I don't (i really don't) have any room to put a bag of carbon and that's why I was asking which you thought was more important at this time.
     
  11. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    How long ago did the nem end up in the power head? If recently then carbon would trump the phosgaurd as it would help with impurities. If your not showing any of the usual amonia, nitrite I would run some phosgaurd for a few days then pull it and check your numbers.
     
  12. scajeo

    scajeo Sea Dragon

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    Thnx for remembering the nem, it did the cyclone of death ride on the 1st I believe. I tested my water on the 3rd and there were no unusual spikes. Well except for the nitrites at .05. I'm testing the water again tonight or tomorrow to see how things are going.

    Thank you for the advice.
     
: diatoms