Few newbie questions

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by euthyphro, Aug 4, 2013.

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  1. euthyphro

    euthyphro Flamingo Tongue

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    I have been cycling my tank for about three weeks now and I have not tested my phosphates until today and found that there were zero phosphates!!! This sounds a little crazy seeing that the ammonia has already spiked and I have a lot of green hair algae growing all over the place. Its a forty gallon aquarium with a 20 gallon sump. I have a tiny bit of Chaeto and a protein skimmer. I am also using a Salifert test kit. Is it normal for phosphates to be zero or am I doing something wrong?

    Also, I notice that my protein skimmer shown here:

    Aquarium Protein Skimmer 300GPH Water Pump w Tubule 40 to 80 Gal Tank Bubble | eBay


    has been running for over two weeks and I only notice green stuff building up in the tube going to the cup. Nothing, especially black sludge, is actually collecting in the cup except condensation. Ive tried adjusting the air mixture etc. Is this normal or did I buy a piece of crap?
     
    euthyphro, Aug 4, 2013
    euthyphro, Aug 4, 2013
    #1

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  2. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    If your phosphates are being taken up by the algae it seems to me that you might not have a noticeable phos value.

    Have you tested your water source for phosphates?
     
    Corailline, Aug 4, 2013
    Corailline, Aug 4, 2013
    #2
  3. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    +1

    Also, FTR, phosphates are not the end result of the nitrogen cycle; they are introduced through tap water, certain processed fish foods, etc.
     
    Mr. Bill, Aug 4, 2013
    Mr. Bill, Aug 4, 2013
    #3
  4. euthyphro

    euthyphro Flamingo Tongue

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    I have an RO filter... I would be very surprised if the hair algae is eating up all the phosphates... Maybe they will die soon
     
    euthyphro, Aug 4, 2013
    euthyphro, Aug 4, 2013
    #4
  5. euthyphro

    euthyphro Flamingo Tongue

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    Does Salifert test for all types of phosphates? The box does not say.
     
    euthyphro, Aug 4, 2013
    euthyphro, Aug 4, 2013
    #5
  6. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    I do believe so.

    Also, as with most anything else, you get what you pay for with skimmers. Yours appears to be a cheap knock-off of the SeaClone. The original is arguably one of the worst on the market. It will work, but it's a PITA to keep adjusted and maintain.
     
    Mr. Bill, Aug 4, 2013
    Mr. Bill, Aug 4, 2013
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  7. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    Would not surprise me at all. You also have chaeto which feeds on both nitrates and phosphates, same as gha.
     
    Mr. Bill, Aug 4, 2013
    Mr. Bill, Aug 4, 2013
    #7
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  8. euthyphro

    euthyphro Flamingo Tongue

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    I guess my phosphates are normal then... I am ticked about getting a rip off skimmer, my fault for not doing my homework though... Im thinking about getting a Tunze skimmer because I see a lot of good reviews and its pretty cheap

    I originally started a tank about 6 years ago, sold it, and now im starting back up again. Back then, everyone was talking about the Remora but not anymore
     
    euthyphro, Aug 4, 2013
    euthyphro, Aug 4, 2013
    #8