Fish food and phosphates

[MadReefer]

I pulled few rocks out today and didn't realize the back glass has Hair algae. I scraped what I could but am baffled why this happened. My only thought here I have switched to the IO Gel food seaweed, cyclopeze and brine shrimp. Are these foods high in phosphates?
Either way I will go back to frozen and use the gel once and awhile.

Edit: I guess this answers my question.
http://store.nemomarine.com/products/Instant-Ocean-Cyclop-Eeze-Gel-Food.html

 

[panmanmatt]

Phosphates are used as preservatives in the frozen and gel foods. With the frozen foods you can at least thaw and rinse them in freshwater in order to get rid of the phosphates. Gel foods you can't so you will be adding it all to the tank.

 

[MadReefer]

Matt,
Been banging my head against wall for a few weeks now as to why this was happening so tracked all my changes the past few months and this was the biggest.
I pulled what I could out and looks much better. There was a bunch of crap on this long HA so am sure that didn't help.

 

[shipwrecked]

Ok lets give this some thght.As we know corals will feed on small amounts of phosphates(at least thats what I was told awhile back) so Im not sure I would put much stock in the idea that a small amount added to yr tank via frozen or gel food would cause a breakout of hair algea.Unless of course yr dumping a cup or more everyday in yr tank.This is just my opinion,and others can chime in.

 

[panmanmatt]

It's not just a small amount if you feed every day. Thaw some frozen food in a cup of RO water and then do a phosphate test on it. You would be surprised on how high it actually is.

 

[shipwrecked]

Matt, But would you think it would be high enough to cause a HA outbreak? I feed frozen food once a week,and feed flake in small amounts daily and I cant say I have any issues with HA.I know every tank is differant but..next time I make up a batch of "chum" I will do a test and see.I guess this gives new meaning to "food for thought"..lol

 

[GluttonousSolarWrasse]

Phosphates by the nature of how they are used in living things, and once living things (frozen food) are going to be always present. They are the basis of ATP, and cell walls. Overall phosphates are used everywhere in living organisms. As far as causing a HA outbreak, if you overfeed (I feed like an absolute maniac) it is possible to get a bunch of PO4 in solution. Do you run GFO, a refugium, or carbon dose? I do all of those, because I feed so heavily, and my phosphates are in check.

 

[panmanmatt]

If you feed heavily on a daily basis yes it could contribute to a HA outbreak. Feeding 1 or 2 times a week shouldn't matter, but that would also depend on your nutrient export methods.

As you said, every tank is different. Some can get away with it more than others.

 

[MadReefer]

Phosphates by the nature of how they are used in living things, and once living things (frozen food) are going to be always present. They are the basis of ATP, and cell walls. Overall phosphates are used everywhere in living organisms. As far as causing a HA outbreak, if you overfeed (I feed like an absolute maniac) it is possible to get a bunch of PO4 in solution. Do you run GFO, a refugium, or carbon dose? I do all of those, because I feed so heavily, and my phosphates are in check.

Yes I run GFO, dose vinegar and have a fuge. I was feeding one gel pack daily sporadically throughout the day for a few months.

 

[wienerdog]

Wow..this is ironic as my HA issue is undetermined. However, I just learned about my feeding. I feed frozen foods almost daily. Just figured where my phosphates are coming from. Though my readings are "0". My back wall is loaded with algae also. Gonna follow this conversation for awhile.