Tank looking horrible. Algae issues

Justin_92_92 · Jul 17, 2021

I'm positive I dont know how to tune my protein skimmer and maybe that is some of my issues but this morning my tank smelled pretty bad. I've been having some algae issues. I did a water change last week to freshen things up (about 10-15 gallons) and a few days later my coral Beauty started losing color and died. The substrate keeps turning brown on top as does the stone in the tank. It looks gross and dirty. I thought maybe I didnt have enough flow so I have picked up a pump that pushed way more water from the sump. Hasn't dont much for fixing the problem. I thought it was my lights so I bought better Led lights. I use RODI water (I'm sure my filters could be changed but the water does come out really good still). Sorry for just rambling lol. Just frustrated at this point. I have two damsels and two little clowns and a sand sitting star in the tank. They seem to be alright but I did lose my banded coral shrimp and my coral beauty this month. They had been going strong for many many months prior. I'll drop a pic of the grossness. My PScimmer was overflowing with "foam" bubbles this morning. I think that was most of the smell. I've tried watching tutorials on dialing that in but have had no success or I dont know what success is supposed to look like haha. Thanks for any advice or help you guys can give.

I added an older pic from a few months ago when it looked way better too.

Justin_92_92 · Jul 17, 2021

When I did my water change, I vacuumed a large portion of the substrate. I forgot to add that part. It was pretty nasty water.

Gedxin · Jul 17, 2021

What are your water parameters? What's the TDS of your RODI? Numbers will dictate a lot of R2R's advice.

Topekoms · Jul 17, 2021

First question how old is the tank? Looks fairly new. Then yes what are your parameters.

Justin_92_92 · Jul 17, 2021

Tanks a few years old. I put it up and was just super patient with it as I cycled it (shrimp) and then very slowly added rock and a fish here and there. Its had fish in it for about 2 years I'd say.

The RODI was showing TDS of like 2 or 3 last time I checked but I havent checked in a little bit.

Here are the parameters. Ammonia seems really high. Anything fix that besides water changes?

Topekoms · Jul 17, 2021

Justin_92_92 said:
Tanks a few years old. I put it up and was just super patient with it as I cycled it (shrimp) and then very slowly added rock and a fish here and there. Its had fish in it for about 2 years I'd say.

The RODI was showing TDS of like 2 or 3 last time I checked but I havent checked in a little bit.

Here are the parameters. Ammonia seems really high. Anything fix that besides water changes?

Sent you a private message

Terry Le · Jul 17, 2021

1st thing to do is to change your Di resin

Justin_92_92 · Jul 17, 2021

Terry Le said:
1st thing to do is to change your Di resin

ive never changed any of my filters on that since I got it. Great idea. I guess I never think of it because its out of sight out of mind. Ill order those today, all of them.