Hi so I am new to reef tanking, I have a 11 gallon nano, and everything had been going smooth for about 2 1/2 months. I added to juvenile clown fish and one emerald crab to help with the clean up, I have 5 corals inside all softies. I have been checking my chemistry every Sunday and recording the numbers, everything is within normal parameters. Doing a 20% water change as well on sundays. Feeding the fish every 2 days with only about 3-4 bites each of frozen food. Now the issue I’m having is I’m getting red sand and during the time my light is on for about 8 hours. Checked phosphates they are normal levels, changed the water didn’t help. Changed the lighting spectrum didn’t help. I’m out of ideas and could use the communities help. Thank you
Peace River
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SPR1968
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It would help if you could confirm your actual nitrate and phosphate levels, it sounds like it’s probably Cyanobacteria and pictures would help as well.
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vetteguy53081
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You’re getting cyano. Are you using RO water or tap water from faucet?
Also do you know your phosphate level ?
Lights- go at least 10 hrs per day , however, you can turn off white lighting for a few days and cyano will subside
Also do you know your phosphate level ?
Lights- go at least 10 hrs per day , however, you can turn off white lighting for a few days and cyano will subside
vetteguy53081
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Welcome to the R2R community and family !!
Billldg
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Agree, what are you nitrates and phosphates at? Pictures would help us help you diagnose any problems.
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Welcome to R2R!!!
DC Reefer
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When you do your water changes try and syphon as much of it out of the sand that you can. Also posting a picture of what you are dealing with will be helpful and listing your water parameters.
Miguel Negron
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welcome 
OP
OP
80sixx
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Thank you all for the comments. Instead of replying to each individual I will post the answers to questions now. Yes I read up on cyano and I’m sure that’s it but I have tried to fix it by monitoring parameters and doing a water change as well as cleaning my filters and the sand spoiler alert it came back haha . I am not using tap water at all, i have RODI for top up and salt water for changes. My parameters are as follows: this past Sunday was last check up( nitrates: 0 to 5ppm, phosphates: .10ppm, PH of 8 ) for flow I have one Sicce voyager nano 270gph, and temp is at 77.4 temp controlled by a ink bird. Sorry for the bad picks I don’t have filters for my phone yet.
NeonRabbit221B
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Nothing wrong with your tank my friend. Just the good ole uglies. Vacuum sand bed, confirm nitrates/phosphates with a reliable test kit and dont stress. Welcome to R2R!
IKD
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Welcome! As said before, knowing your phosphate level would be good. Pictures would be great too. Are water changes your only export method (any filter pads, skimmer, etc?)
fishguy242
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hi welcome to the reef going to love it here!!
lots of fun/info/fun/help/fun...
lots of fun/info/fun/help/fun...
Billldg
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Agree, just tank going thru the ugly phase.Thank you all for the comments. Instead of replying to each individual I will post the answers to questions now. Yes I read up on cyano and I’m sure that’s it but I have tried to fix it by monitoring parameters and doing a water change as well as cleaning my filters and the sand spoiler alert it came back haha . I am not using tap water at all, i have RODI for top up and salt water for changes. My parameters are as follows: this past Sunday was last check up( nitrates: 0 to 5ppm, phosphates: .10ppm, PH of 8 ) for flow I have one Sicce voyager nano 270gph, and temp is at 77.4 temp controlled by a ink bird. Sorry for the bad picks I don’t have filters for my phone yet.
