Need To Vent!!!!!!!!

[bobby]

Every body dogs the prizim, and told me to take it back So before I used it I tried to take it back to get the coralife super skimmer, but the lfs said no returns, so now I'm using it and like it alot.

[bkv1997]

Ok well a good skimmer will help thats for sure. I give prizms skimmers a .5 stars out of 10. The prizm Prom ones are a bit better, but people really should just save their money. Ok enough of me on my skimmer soap box.

After that you have to stop putting it into your tank. Read the ASH content on the flake food you're using the more ASH the more phosphate your adding. I don't use flake food period... frozen brine/mysis/rotifers and algea clips.

After that check your top off water it should be RO/DI and have 0 Phosphates.

If after all that make sure your salt mix doesn't have phosphates. Test the water before mixing it and after. Keep up on the bi weekly water changes I do a water change every other wednesday for 20% of my tank volume and honestly believe it has been the single most important thing I do.

Just some things to try... I think flake food might be what's getting you guys.

[Bifferwine]

I feed 1 cube of mysis every night, no flake food whatsoever. I cut out the flakes a couple weeks ago, trying to reduce nitrates and phosphates. But I still have phosphates.

[bobby]

I use pellats not flakes, the ash is 10%. Is that alot? I have the delux with the surface skimmer and the media box. I know were the phos is coming from, its from the ro water. I have went to 6 sources now and all have 1.ppm.

[jermpool]

Originally Posted by Bifferwine

I feed 1 cube of mysis every night, no flake food whatsoever. I cut out the flakes a couple weeks ago, trying to reduce nitrates and phosphates. But I still have phosphates.

By the way any changes yet?

[Bifferwine]

Nope of course not. I've come to the conclusion that there is no rational explanation for my phosphate levels. Now, I am a scientist, so it takes a lot for me to admit this: but I feel I must start looking to the metaphysical realm for an explanation, because apparently nothing on this planet explains my algae!

No, but seriously, I'm thinking it may take more than a couple weeks to start seeing a change from cutting out flakes and cutting the feedings in half. I'll do another water change tomorrow and see what's up then. The good news is my nitrates have been at 0 for over a month now. The bad news is my husband tells me I need to buy a trap for my two sally lightfoots, their aggression towards the fish is making him uneasy, and it's only gotten worse since I reduced the food load. I'm a little bit sentimental about it, "NO! They would never hurt one of the fish! They know better!". Yeah, I know. Duh.

[JellyMan]

yep thats why I said be careful it wont be long before they have a fish fry.

[sabotaged]

do you happen to rinse you mysis cube with ro/di water before you feed it to the fish?

[d.french]

the flake food i use once in a while on contents doesn't have ash in it i looked everywhere on container

[Bifferwine]

Yep, I rinse it (and melt it) in a little strainer before I feed it.