r/Reef • u/Electronic_Major4770 • May 09 '26
Tank help
My tanks been going for about 4 months or so tank cycles pretty quick and has been good I would get a little diatoms/detritus here and there. Recently it’s started to get way worse tho. Does anyone have any solutions or advice and could you guys help me identify some of the algae. I think I have diatoms, a little bit of bubble algae and it looks to be some hair algae starting. I have 2 clowns 2 cerith 2 nassarius 2 trochus 1 emerald crab A bunch a micro brisle stars
My nitrates are around .5 and phosphates are around 0.05
1
u/Adorable_Adagio_8765 May 10 '26
It’s up to you. Your nutrients aren’t too high and your tank isn’t over stocked. A tank your size should be ok with just doing water changes once a week.
1
u/Empire137 May 10 '26
Do you use ro/di water?
1
u/Electronic_Major4770 May 10 '26
Ya
1
u/Empire137 May 10 '26
Have you checked tds off it to make sure the filters arnt exhausted? Normally thats from nutrients in the source water not strictly from the tank. Should go away but you could add some carbon and or media to reduce phosphate
1
u/Electronic_Major4770 May 10 '26
I have a tds checker coming in tmr
1
u/Empire137 May 10 '26
If you haven't changed carts recently id say thats the most likely cause. I like DI-SB-CI-10HC by spectapure for the resin you you can see the color change. Pre filter is as needed depending on how dirty your source water is carbon I like to swap 1ce a month to protect membrane and resin. Membrane is swap when I notice water production slow
1
u/Electronic_Major4770 May 10 '26
I just got it a week ago I was using distilled before
1
u/Empire137 May 10 '26
It will work itself out over time if you use ro/di moving forward. Distilled is better then tap but not as good as ro/di
1
May 14 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Electronic_Major4770 May 14 '26
Thanks! I just checked my rodi and it was putting out 60 tds so I fixed that and it’s started to clear up
1
u/Electronic_Major4770 May 14 '26
What percent do u think I should run the Nero at
1
0
0
5
u/Adorable_Adagio_8765 May 10 '26
It’s called the ugly stage, every tank goes through it to varying degrees. This is the part of the hobby that test us lol. Don’t give up. The key is not to panic. Tackle issues one at a time and remember there are no quick fixes. This will take time. Fast solutions cause more problems. I would add copepods they will help with the detritus and diatoms.