Any tips for cleaning the back of an AIO?

[LeafsReefer]

I have a Reef Casa Studio 18 that has been running for almost 10 months and I'm trying to figure out why I can't get my phosphates down. I've been doing 35% water changes twice a week since Christmas and can't get it below 0.35 (it was over 0.5). In the middle chamber I have a skimmer with some Marine Pure balls and a couple small pieces of Marco Rock. I can see that there's some sludge build up on the balls and the side, but when I try to take them out to cleans or clean the glass everything breaks apart.

Just wondering if anyone has any tips.

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[TX_REEF]

sounds like you should give it a deep clean (either manually with paper towels or use a small pump or a shopvac to remove the filthy water), then add some mechanical filtration before the bio media to prevent it from becoming a detritus trap. I recommend this filter floss, it's easy to cut to size and cheap enough to throw away and replace regularly: https://amzn.to/3ViKhPR

 

[OutColdCRNA]

Every so often, on my 65 gallon AIO I use a turkey baster and blast each section to suspend anything back into the tank and to be picked up by my filter socks.

 

[LeafsReefer]

Just out of curiosity, would this keep my phosphates high?

 

[TX_REEF]

Just out of curiosity, would this keep my phosphates high?

It could contribute, it’s good to remove the detritus once in a while.