5 Ways to Clean Out Detritus in a Reef Tank

Detritus is decaying food, waste, plant, or animal matter present in a reef fish tank. If left untreated, detritus impacts the balance of the aquarium’s water by raising the levels of nitrate and phosphate. Excessive levels of these byproducts can cause the residents of an aquarium to be susceptible to illness or death, let alone food for noxious algae. Managing detritus is essential to keeping the fish in your aquarium happy and healthy. Here are five methods to remove detritus from your reef tank.

1. Recruit a Reef Tank Cleanup Crew

If you prefer natural methods to remove detritus from your tank, introducing animals that eat detritus is the most natural method available. Fighting conches, hermit crabs, and peppermint shrimp are all peaceful, interesting, and aesthetically pleasing species that enjoy dining on detritus. Exercise caution when choosing to introduce new residents to your aquarium, as overcrowding could negatively impact the balance of the aquarium water.

At Aquatic Warehouse, a leading provider of saltwater aquarium supplies, our store associates are ready to assist you in the process of determining the appropriate number of residents to inhabit your reef tank and make suggestions as to the best species for the ecosystem you’ve established.

2. Siphon the Substrate

When you notice an accumulation, you can siphon your tank to remove it immediately. Siphoning the waste buildup on top of the gravel or sand in your reef tank is essential to regular maintenance and can easily be incorporated to the weekly water changes that reef tanks require. However, if you’re having to siphon detritus from your reef tank more than once a week, there may be issues with the balance of the water that needs to be addressed. And remember not to overfeed! It does more harm than good.

3. Replace or Upgrade the Filtration System

If you aren’t regularly replacing filter cartridges or filter socks, the water being filtered through these systems won’t be cleaned as thoroughly. If you’re regularly replacing and cleaning your current system and are still encountering problems, you may want to consider investing in a higher quality filtration system. Something as simple as incorporating 100 micron bags in the filters can work wonders.

4. Micro Bubble Scrub the Tank

A debatable way to rid an aquarium of detritus is to perform a micro bubble scrubbing, where you must add an air stone to the intake of your pump. Tiny bubbles then fill your tank and attach to detritus, which carries the debris toward the current of water that enters your filtration system. This method should only be done temporarily. It’s not recommended to be instituted long term.

5. Adjust the Water Current

Detritus usually settles where there’s a weak current. If you don’t have a power head incorporated in your reef tank, consider purchasing one. If you have installed a power head, adjust the water speed.

No matter what you need to keep your reef tank running smoothly, whether it’s an aquarium dosing pump or filtration, Aquatic Warehouse has it all. Call one of our knowledgeable representatives today at 858-467-9297, check out our website, or stop by our store in Kearny Mesa.