Freshwater NOOB question.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Definitely go rodi, don't skimp like I did at first. Monitor nitrate and phosphate. Like a hawk. I have A heavily stocked 95 an do 50% monthly changes. Recommend instant ocean salt mix. Calcium levels seem better than other brands.

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So, phosphates are removed how? Remove nitrate through water changes, phosphate also? I don't need a phosphate reactor?
I'm trying to stay on topic, but it seems to stray... why are phosphates important in a fish only setup? Won't the UV kill the algae prob? Why is algae a problem? Don't the fish eat it? I'm trying to get a simple set up but I'm confused at this apparent complexity. Don't get me wrong, freshwater can get equally complex but simple works best for fresh....it should be the same.
I really am going to think about this saltwater tank.
 
boldtogether said:
So, phosphates are removed how? Remove nitrate through water changes, phosphate also? I don't need a phosphate reactor?
I'm trying to stay on topic, but it seems to stray... why are phosphates important in a fish only setup? Won't the UV kill the algae prob? Why is algae a problem? Don't the fish eat it? I'm trying to get a simple set up but I'm confused at this apparent complexity. Don't get me wrong, freshwater can get equally complex but simple works best for fresh....it should be the same.
I really am going to think about this saltwater tank.
Click to expand...

Nitrates & phosphates are removed through water changes and via beneficial algal growth and/or a phosphate reactor; for your purposes, water changes (and maybe a small refugium) should be enough to keep the phosphates down. Keep in mind that phosphates may be present in your tap water, so you'll want to test for them to be sure that your tap water is not at fault rather than something else; this is why it's a good idea to invest in an RO/DI system because it removes the phosphates, nitrates, dissolved solids, etc. from your tap water.

High phosphates and/or nitrates will result in a bloom of ugly nuisance algae Said bloom will lower the levels of phosphates and nitrates, but who really wants to look at the gross green algae when you could have multi-colored beneficial coralline algae growing on your rocks? UV will kill some of the algae, but it most likely will not get it all. The beneficial algae that you want is called coralline algae and is usually purple/pink/lime green/white in color and encrusts on the rocks and other surfaces; all other forms of algae should be avoided in the main aquarium (macro algae can be kept in the refugium).

You'll get to see a few of the different types of nuisance algae & diatoms as the aquarium cycles; they'll clear up as the cycle progresses, and the system becomes properly balanced.
 
ahhh...I've been wondering what that white fuzzy looking stuff is on my LR...so its algae and its good? I've seen it on two different rock now...
 
Oh. Ok. Yeah, it looks like a white, almost see-through fuzz. I've seen it on two rocks now but it doesn't seem to be spreading or growing. I don't know, I just figured as I move the rocks around to find a spot where I like them, I'm just changing their angles and discovering things that were already there. There's like tube-things on some of them too. Those are cool. Is the fuzzy stuff something I should worry about? Should I talk to Scott about it?
 
KellyFrancis said:
Oh. Ok. Yeah, it looks like a white, almost see-through fuzz. I've seen it on two rocks now but it doesn't seem to be spreading or growing. I don't know, I just figured as I move the rocks around to find a spot where I like them, I'm just changing their angles and discovering things that were already there. There's like tube-things on some of them too. Those are cool. Is the fuzzy stuff something I should worry about? Should I talk to Scott about it?
Click to expand...

Post a picture of it in your thread; I'll check it out.
 
KellyFrancis said:
Oh. Ok. Yeah, it looks like a white, almost see-through fuzz. I've seen it on two rocks now but it doesn't seem to be spreading or growing. I don't know, I just figured as I move the rocks around to find a spot where I like them, I'm just changing their angles and discovering things that were already there. There's like tube-things on some of them too. Those are cool. Is the fuzzy stuff something I should worry about? Should I talk to Scott about it?
Click to expand...
DEFINATLY TALK TO SCOTT!!! AND STOP DERAILING MY THREAD!!!
GGGEEEEZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wiggles, thanks for the heads up.
I'm going to go talk to Scott.
 
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