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Periphery/PNC-Fish/Equipment/Reef-Tank.md

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+---
+title: Reef Tank Maintenance
+description: Saltwater reef tank maintenance, water parameters, and cyanobacteria protocol
+published: true
+date: 2026-04-12T00:00:00.000Z
+tags: pncfish, reef, equipment
+editor: markdown
+dateCreated: 2026-04-12T00:00:00.000Z
+---
+
+# Reef Tank Maintenance
+
+## Cyanobacteria Treatment Protocol
+
+Use this protocol in order. Do not skip to later steps without completing earlier ones.
+
+| Step | Action | Notes |
+|------|--------|-------|
+| 1 | Manual siphon removal | During water change — remove as much as possible physically |
+| 2 | Verify RO/DI TDS = 0 | Replace resin if TDS is above 0 — contaminated source water is a primary cause |
+| 3 | Check phosphate | If undetectable (<0.03 ppm), dose KH2PO4 to raise slightly — paradoxically low phosphate favors cyano over corals |
+| 4 | 3-day blackout + large water change | Starves cyano of light. Combine both for best effect. |
+| 5 | Add chaeto to refugium | Outcompetes cyano for nutrients long-term |
+| 6 | Vibrant liquid bacteria | If cyano persists after steps 1–5 |
+
+**Note:** Chemi-Clean was used previously and did not fully resolve the issue. Underlying cause (RO/DI quality, phosphate imbalance, flow dead spots) was suspected. Provide current water parameters — nitrate, phosphate, TDS, salinity — to continue diagnosis.
+
+## Water Parameters to Track
+
+| Parameter | Target Range | Notes |
+|-----------|-------------|-------|
+| Salinity | 1.025–1.026 SG | Use refractometer |
+| Temperature | 76–78°F | Inkbird ITC-306A controls this |
+| pH | 8.1–8.3 | Check morning and evening |
+| Ammonia | 0 | Should always be undetectable |
+| Nitrite | 0 | Should always be undetectable |
+| Nitrate | <10 ppm | Lower for SPS; <20 for LPS/fish-only |
+| Phosphate | 0.03–0.10 ppm | Too low favors cyano; too high causes algae |
+| TDS (RO/DI output) | 0 | Replace resin if above 0 |
+
+## Lighting: ReefBreeder
+
+*Document ReefBreeder light model, schedule, and intensity settings here.*
+
+## Water Change Schedule
+
+*Document water change frequency, volume, and salt mix used.*
+
+## Equipment List
+
+*Document all tank equipment: skimmer, return pump, powerheads, refugium light, dosing equipment, etc.*