Please help

luigid26 · Feb 11, 2021

I have a 55 gallon saltwater tank with four clown fish and a goby, it has been running for about a few months I already have brown algae at the bottom and on the glass. But my water level is starting to go down about an inch already from the top and wanted to know what is the proper way or what to use to top it off? Plain tap water ? Or distilled water? I’m not interested in getting a top off system, I am just getting so many answers I just don’t know which one is the right one- thanks in advance!!

SaltyT · Feb 11, 2021

Welcome to R2R! Sound like you have diatoms which is common in new tanks and usually runs it course as the tank matures. I recommend topping off with RODI water. Best of luck to you!

Peace River · Feb 11, 2021

RODI water is commonly what is used for topping off. Also be careful with 4 clowns - you will likely have a lot of aggression as they get older.

jsker · Feb 11, 2021

Welcome to R2R!!

Just to add, if you do not have an RO/DI system yet. Use distilled water to top off. Do you have a local fish store near you? Another option is to purchase RO/DI from the LFS.

Dark_Knightt · Feb 11, 2021

Welcome! Like the idea of 4 clowns, but personally I wouldve added 5, it might not be too late to add another.
But yes as others have mentioned, top off with RO water, *fresh, unsalted water*

Jekyl · Feb 11, 2021

Top off needs to be done daily. If you're completely against using anything but tap water I'd recommend trading the fish in and converting to freshwater. Not trying to be mean, you're just putting your pets at risk

Jeffcb · Feb 11, 2021

Welcome to Reef2Reef! RO water for sure.

mdb_talon · Feb 11, 2021

Getting different advice is pretty common in this hobby...and at times it is just a matter of different valid approaches to reaching the same goal. This is one of those questions that has very little debate though. RODI water for sure.

There is often someone who says "tap is fine i been using it 60 years and never seen a diatom", but that person either lies or is extremely fortunate with their tapwater and not indicative of results you should expect.

Brewski262 · Feb 11, 2021

+1 to RODI from LFS or if that's not available near you, distilled as a last resort.

Welcome to R2R!

Printed Reef · Feb 11, 2021

luigid26 said:
I have a 55 gallon saltwater tank with four clown fish and a goby, it has been running for about a few months I already have brown algae at the bottom and on the glass. But my water level is starting to go down about an inch already from the top and wanted to know what is the proper way or what to use to top it off? Plain tap water ? Or distilled water? I’m not interested in getting a top off system, I am just getting so many answers I just don’t know which one is the right one- thanks in advance!!

Hello and welcome, it seems to me that you need reverse osmosis water for your tank. As for the brown algae. check the nutrients and phosphate in the tank.

KJ · Feb 11, 2021

Welcome to R2R!!!

Fred2482 · Feb 11, 2021

Welcome! RODI

vetteguy53081 · Feb 11, 2021

luigid26 said:
I have a 55 gallon saltwater tank with four clown fish and a goby, it has been running for about a few months I already have brown algae at the bottom and on the glass. But my water level is starting to go down about an inch already from the top and wanted to know what is the proper way or what to use to top it off? Plain tap water ? Or distilled water? I’m not interested in getting a top off system, I am just getting so many answers I just don’t know which one is the right one- thanks in advance!!

Test the salinity and determine if you need to add salt or not. Either way use RO water OR distilled.

vetteguy53081 · Feb 11, 2021

luigid26 said:
I have a 55 gallon saltwater tank with four clown fish and a goby, it has been running for about a few months I already have brown algae at the bottom and on the glass. But my water level is starting to go down about an inch already from the top and wanted to know what is the proper way or what to use to top it off? Plain tap water ? Or distilled water? I’m not interested in getting a top off system, I am just getting so many answers I just don’t know which one is the right one- thanks in advance!!

Please post pics to determine if its algae-diatoms-cyano