My feeding schedule is as follows-
Every other day I feed pellets. Sometimes I won't let a day go between feedings, and if this does happen, the "in between" feeding is about half sized. I try to soak the pellets (Dainichi Reef Veggie mix) in RO if I have time.
About 1-2 times per week I feed frozen mysis, thawed in tank water that is most of the way strained of, if I don't have time to soak in RO. I also alternate with Sally's (?) Emerald Entree, prepped the same way.
My fish are total pigs, so maybe one or two pellets hit the sand, even my watchman gets to it before it does. Whatever doesn't get eaten immediately is quickly picked up by my large sand cleaning crew (2 tigertail cukes-one that split, 2 fighting conch's, approx. 40 nass. vibex, and my dinnerplate+ sized brittle star).
I'm not saying I know everything, as I know that I'm far from it, and I know that it is truly impossible to do so, especially in this hobby. I'm just saying, that while I may not post a whole lot, I have a photographic memory (though selective at times
), so I can absorb info and retain it (if it interests me- this is where that selective part comes into play). I usually have good idea of what is going on, I just post to either get confirmation, or to see if there is some new technique that I haven't run across.
My original thought as to why I have this algae problem is not what I put into the tank, as I've had larger bioloads and way overfed in the past with the same foods with no problems, but rather a lack of adequate nutrient export. I currently don't have the means (space) to set up a refugium, as I cannot fit a larger tank under my stand for a sump/fuge. While I have the money to buy a new skimmer, I would really rather not, just because I there are other things I can do with the $300+ that an Octopus Recirc or ASM would cost. My next best option to remove things (aside from my normal 20% monthly WC's) is to use a chemical media, like phosban in a reactor, to remove what I don't want.
The reasoning for my previous 50g tank to be successful was that my skimmer was more efficient for the tank size, and it was also a better brand of skimmer. I also had a fuge that I made out of an AquaClear 500 filter. This isn't something that I can do (HOB fuge) on this tank, because it is out in the main part of the house and I can't move the tank that far away from the wall without restricting the hallway it is in too much. Not to mention that AC500 filter would be like a pin prick on an elephant's but...
I understand that you have "0 PO4", but you have to consider the fact that your algae that you are fighting is eating all of it out of your water before you can test it. That is what is feeding the algae. My water also reads at an undetectable level for PO4, but that doesn't in any way, shape, or form prove that I don't have a PO4 problem. It just means that I have algae that is out competing my test kit. If I put some competition in there (i.e. phosban reactor) My algae, in theory will starve down to an equilibrium, but hopefully gone all together.
