Hi there I'm asking for opinions for a solution for reducing algae growth from keepers experience.
I have algae growth for a few reasons most of which I can't change.
1) I perform two 300 ltr water changes a week on a 1000 ltr tank which is needed for the stock to keep the nitrates down and replenish minerals etc. The water here has elevated phosphates because I live in a river valley and last year we have had so much much rain the fertilisers have run off into the water system . So effectively I'm charging my tank with a algae food.
2) the position of the tank is next to large 9 FT x 6 ft glass door so sun light is increased. I'm unable to move the tank as it ways 1.3 tonnes and its the only position to fit in room and my fish demand a 7ft long tank.
3) in the sump I have tried to establish a Refuge which has been a 50% success the underwater plants don't last no matter which type I put in because the flow is high and placing in tank would be destroyed by the ray and aro. The Malaysian vine was doing really well although a few of the plant spectrum bulbs were out due to ballasts blew, no replaced so full capacity nitrate and phosphate removing should be back ina couple of weeks.
4) algae scrubbers seem a good idea but the tank is in the living room and underneath is full with sump fadditional canister filters etc ( there is space for additional kit but the size of scrubber require particularly head room is out as will be to small to be effective)
Sooooo finally I was looking at removing the phosphates at source ie RO. From reading previous threads as I understand it 100% RO causes ph to crash and fish to die though lack of essential minerals. So the main idea I wanted some feed back was by designing a sys where in a 24 hr period say 70% was RO and 30 mains. Using timers solenoid to bypass RO unit etc. This would also give me near on perfect nitrate levels no.
What's people thoughts experiences on RO on a 1000 ltr sump setup?
Long one but everyone likes the info before helping thanks ina advanc
I have algae growth for a few reasons most of which I can't change.
1) I perform two 300 ltr water changes a week on a 1000 ltr tank which is needed for the stock to keep the nitrates down and replenish minerals etc. The water here has elevated phosphates because I live in a river valley and last year we have had so much much rain the fertilisers have run off into the water system . So effectively I'm charging my tank with a algae food.
2) the position of the tank is next to large 9 FT x 6 ft glass door so sun light is increased. I'm unable to move the tank as it ways 1.3 tonnes and its the only position to fit in room and my fish demand a 7ft long tank.
3) in the sump I have tried to establish a Refuge which has been a 50% success the underwater plants don't last no matter which type I put in because the flow is high and placing in tank would be destroyed by the ray and aro. The Malaysian vine was doing really well although a few of the plant spectrum bulbs were out due to ballasts blew, no replaced so full capacity nitrate and phosphate removing should be back ina couple of weeks.
4) algae scrubbers seem a good idea but the tank is in the living room and underneath is full with sump fadditional canister filters etc ( there is space for additional kit but the size of scrubber require particularly head room is out as will be to small to be effective)
Sooooo finally I was looking at removing the phosphates at source ie RO. From reading previous threads as I understand it 100% RO causes ph to crash and fish to die though lack of essential minerals. So the main idea I wanted some feed back was by designing a sys where in a 24 hr period say 70% was RO and 30 mains. Using timers solenoid to bypass RO unit etc. This would also give me near on perfect nitrate levels no.
What's people thoughts experiences on RO on a 1000 ltr sump setup?
Long one but everyone likes the info before helping thanks ina advanc
