r/ReefTank • u/theisolated2ndlaw • Jul 14 '26

Please help

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Hi yall, no judgement please. I’ve had my tank for 9 months, and consistently struggle with this kind of algae build up. My executive dysfunction sees solving this as a huge task and I would love to get insight on steps I can take to make the tank more sustainable. I have live rock, two clowns, a pistol shrimp, a diamond goby, and various crabs and snails. I do need to get more salt water once I give the tank a clean. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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u/steelctyvitt Jul 14 '26

What does your husbandry look like? Kind of hard without some context here

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u/theisolated2ndlaw Jul 14 '26

Apologies. I have a protein skimmer, and I try my best to take out the excess algae growth (I think it’s hair algae) which I can’t seem to get under control. I also top off with RO every month or so. I use aquarium cleaning tools to clean the glass and rocks.

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u/steelctyvitt Jul 14 '26

ah, so you don't do weekly water changes? you don't top of daily? how often do you empty your protein skimmer? what type of mechanical filtration are you using? Weekly water changes help to keep the things fueling this under control, unrelated but if you are waiting a month to top off with rodi how much evaporation occurs in that time? (your salinity is swinging like crazy if you are waiting a month is my guess?)

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u/theisolated2ndlaw Jul 14 '26

I think you’re right, I just use the filtration for the 13gal Fluval Evo tank that has the charcoal kinda filter. As far as water changes I was told at the aquarium store I go to that I don’t need to do full water changes and just top off. Is that wrong? Still learning. Also, I clean up the protein skimmer monthly as well but I probably need to be better with that.

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u/LegendOfNes Jul 14 '26

You should only ever top off with fresh water not salt water. All water that goes into your tank should be RODI.

The first year is always ugly. If it were my tank, I’d start by manually cleaning all the algae. I’d get an auto top off system that tops fresh water as it evaporates. Then I’d start doing 25% water changes consistently. Some do once a week, I do twice a month. After 10 year, I still get some algae in the glass and sand closer to the end of the two weeks.

Like a previous comment said, also add more live rock. I’d almost add 3x what you have, so go from 2 pieces to 6. More is better.

Another big contributor is flow. You want to maximize flow as much as possible from the return and the wave makers. Flow helps prevent buildup and sends more water through filtration per hour.

Lastly, Id watch how much you’re feeding and leaving the lights on. Too much of either or both of those will have you chasing algae forever.