Detritus

anthonys_aqua

Reef safe Pika
Joined
Aug 7, 2020
Messages
594
Likes
240
Points
3
Location
Hacienda Heights
#1
As title says, Detritus.

I have a lot and it’s mainly all on my rocks like as if there’s a web or something. Tank is a little over 3 years old, some rocks are 2 years old , some 1 year old or less. Nitrates and phosphate aren’t that outta wack and I do have a Red Sea reef mat that is on a once a day cycle

I know the only way to get rid of it is manual removal

But once that is done, what can I do to prevent it?










Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Apr 3, 2023
Messages
350
Likes
208
Points
0
#2
It looks like possible bacterial mulm. The pictures aren't to clear. The best ways to prevent mulm or detritus from building up in your display in the first place is to increase flow and ad more detritivores. You can also blow off the rocks with a turkey baster. I run my power heads a little harder at night when the corals are closed to help stir up detritus. Changing the flow as corals grow is pretty inevitible. Power heads may need to be moved or added to accomodate for coral growth.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
 

KinumsReef

New member
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
89
Likes
86
Points
3
Location
Ontario, California
#3
I have what looks to be the same stuff. It mostly grows in dark areas or under rock work. I reached out to reef cleaners and they said it may be Chrysophytes. They said nerites may be a good cleanup crew member for this. Here’s what mine look like. I have a good amount of the snails and haven’t seen much of a difference but maybe I don’t have enough of them. I’m interested to see if anyone else has any input!
image1.jpeg
image0.jpeg
 

Jimbo327

Spam Stopper
Staff member
Joined
Oct 2, 2007
Messages
1,523
Likes
1,186
Points
113
Location
Orange
My Tank Build
#5
I'm very surprised that you have detritus with Reefmat and bare bottom. Crank up the flow? Or get more snails, they all all over my rocks. I always recommend Trochus because they can breed, and they are big enough to do the job, but not like a Turbo which may be too big to get into smaller spots.
 

bakbay

Premium Member
Supporter
Joined
Aug 27, 2023
Messages
920
Likes
606
Points
63
Location
Orange County
#6
+1 on flow. I run BB tanks with lots of turbulent flow inside the tank to get detritus suspended and go down the overflow.

CUC: yes to Trochus snails and add urchins! I love them, the more the merrier. You only need 3-5 of them for large tanks.

If I’m picky, I can do turkey baster followed by DIY “Coral Snow” as a flocculent and the skimmer will pick up.
 

anthonys_aqua

Reef safe Pika
Joined
Aug 7, 2020
Messages
594
Likes
240
Points
3
Location
Hacienda Heights
#8
So my flow is as high as it can be, all my corals are happy

Issue is this stuff is under the rocks where as my flow is going in the top half of the water column

I guess my option would be to get another wave maker to add towards the back and bottom

I will add that this detritus isn’t all loose, some of it has to be brushed off


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

lazycouch

⠀⠀⠀⠀
Joined
Oct 15, 2020
Messages
113
Likes
71
Points
0
#9
quite normal but apart from flow it definitely looks like you can use some inverts like hermits or a small urchin to move across your rocks and keep them agitated
 
Top