nzspida Posted October 5, 2010 Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 Hi Phoenix! I see you're a rather active member on this forum! (how have you found the time to post 9,565 posts! ) Thanks for the advice. I didn't mean to suggest that I had the brown algae issue - it's a new tank and no algae yet, but I'm going to do whatever it takes not to get it. (I battled with it in my previous tank which had an undergravel filter and reoccuring high nitrate/phosphate levels which I think triggered the algae problems) So really my current issue is how best to mechanically remove the clouding (which I'm figuring must be caused by disturbed Aquabasis) from the water. I'll give carbon a go just for period to see if it helps remove the initial clouding. (along with water changes) I don't see myself using carbon long term. Thanks again, Brendan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted October 5, 2010 Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 You can try carbon, but don't use it at all if you are combating brown algae. Why is this? I've got carbon in for a bit of a clarity issue but I've also got new tank syndrome brown going on. Is the carbon going to make the brown algae harder to get rid of or increase it's growth rate in some way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted October 5, 2010 Report Share Posted October 5, 2010 Carbon strips most of the nutrients from the water. So if you are using nutrients to help your plants out compete the algae, it is counter productive as you remove whatever you put in. I personally like using carbon, but after a while of tinkering with stuff, I've found it isn't needed unless you have lots of tannins and you don't like the yellow colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted October 6, 2010 Report Share Posted October 6, 2010 Carbon strips most of the nutrients from the water. So if you are using nutrients to help your plants out compete the algae, it is counter productive as you remove whatever you put in. I personally like using carbon, but after a while of tinkering with stuff, I've found it isn't needed unless you have lots of tannins and you don't like the yellow colour. Awesome, thank you. I've got the clarity back so I'll pull it out now and let the plants do their thing. I've probably burnt a couple of bottles of ferts in the process... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted October 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2010 Dont use carbon unless its for removing medication. I used it if i have it, (with a new filter or whatever) then dont bother replacing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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