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