First Reef Tank - 16 Gallon Bow Front - Updated as August 17th

Updated Pics!

Here are some new pics of my tank/corals.

 

Here are a few more.

 

Nice pictures and awesome coral!

 

Thank you. I'm soo excited because there is a lot of new growth in my tank as well. The corals look so better compared to a month ago today when I got them! 8)

I know I keep on posting this pic, but it by far my favorite. I think that I love the mushroom corals, lol. My wife edited this pic for me, and it looks a lot better IMO.

 

Phosphates to high! Help

Ok, so I'm still having a problem with my GSP wanting to extend since about July 17th(this is the thread for that http://www.3reef.com/forums/coral/gsp-help-116480.html). It is about 50% better since then. I just got a phosphate test kit the other day and tested all my prams tonight. This is what I got:

SG: 1.025
PH: 8.4
ALK: around 2.1 ppm
Nitrate: 0 ppm
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitite: 0 ppm
Phosphate: 8 ppm

I realize my phosphates are really high. I started using Fluval® Clearmax Phosphate Remover (3.52-oz bag) (this is the thread for that http://www.3reef.com/forums/water-chemistry/clearmax-phosphate-remover-116222.html) in my AquaClear 50 HOB filter on 7-14-2011.My algae isn't stringy like it was, but it looks like I have cyano growing all over my LR and zoos.

At the same time I started using AquaClear BioMax. My Nitrates were a little high when I started using this product, but now they are zero, ;D.

I have been following Steve Wright' thread about carbon dosing (http://www.3reef.com/forums/water-chemistry/carbon-dosing-method-testing-started-107232.html), and I realize that bio pellets look like something that I really need to invest in. At this time I just can't afford to do that right now, which is why I went with the ClearMax.

My question is, what can I do to reduce my phosphate levels in the meantime until I can afford to get what I need?

 

I will post some new pics of what I am talking about when my tank clears up. I just did some rearranging of the rocks, lol.

Would it be alright to put Chaeto w/Pods (from reefcleaners off course) directly in the DT?

And I don't have a CuC right now either, so I was thinking of getting this package (Quick Crew 40 Breeder) because I will be setting up my 40 breeder here within the week. ;D

 

If you are still feeding with frozen food, rinse in RO/DI water after thawing. The processing fluids and preservatives are high in phosphates.

Yes, the chaeto can be placed into the DT; just don't add any herbivorous fish.

 

I don't feed frozen food, only dry. There is only a couple of flakes left when the damsels are done eating.

 

Kind of unrelated, but I thought I'd let you know. Every time I see you avatar I'm so jealous. I love that red mushroom. I want a few of my own. I have a green and a blue spotted (some call it a Superman shroom I think). I've seen pics of a neon orange one that is AWESOME too.

 

I'm glad you like them. They are my favorite by far, lol. ;D I want to get some more shrooms one day. They are doing even better now. I will try to get some pics of them later on and post them.