Cyano outbreak

[beareef19]

Need suggestions on how to control red slime. No2. 0 NO3. 5 AMM 0-.25 been doing 5 gal water changes w/ ro/di weekly

[whatsareef]

Well if the natural methods dont work ( higher water flow...) this works really well... Chemi-Clean http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4122&Ne=40000&N=2004+11300 0

[matt]

If you post some info about your tank; size, filtration, inhabitants, etc, you'll get more insightful replies. (hopefully, anyhow!) The chemi-clean has mixed reviews, but it does nothing to solve the cause of the cyano, which is the problem; the bacteria itself is just a symptom. The bottom line for all nuisance algae issues is an abundance of nutrients of various types in your water. Sometimes even with the best systems, occasional outbreaks happen.

Think of water changes in terms of percentages; 5 gallons on a 100 gallon system still leaves 95% of the undesirable stuff in your water. If your algae problem is really bad, maybe start with a series of 30% water changes, like 4 or 5 over a couple of months. Keep siphoning it out; it takes time to get rid of this stuff.

[Tim Marvin]

Chemi-clean. I dose will do it.

[Andrew]

You may want to test phophate levels as well; almost any amount can cause proliferation of unwanted algaes. If this is the case, it might be worthwhile to run phosguard (in HOB, or sump).

Overstocking, overfeeding, lack of protein skimmer also may contribute to undesired growth

Hope this helps

a.k.

[Kilroy]

My 2 cents, Did you buy anything from alamo? Their tanks are infested with the sh1t. My reef was perfectly fine untill i brought home crap from their store! Ned I say anything more :twisted:

[matt]

I kind of doubt that your purchase at Alamo resulted in an outbreak of cyano. Practically every tank has at least some cyanobacteria; it's only when it gets out of control and becomes visible due to tank conditions that it's a a nuisance. It's not like flatworms which will reproduce in a healthy tank once introduced.

[Henry]

I'm with Matt and Josh, I doubt any purchase from alamo would cause an outbreak unless what you bought was already covered in it when you bought it. I could just be coincidence. Multiple factors could have contibuted to your cyano outbreak, the added bioload or dieoff from live rock if that is what you bought. Something like that could have could a small cycle. Just my little 2cents.

Henry

[Tim Marvin]

Cyano has been around since the start of time. It was the first bacteria on the face of the earth. It is in all of our tanks weather we want to admit it or not. The object is to keep it at bay so we don't have to look at it. Chemi clean will oxidize what we can see and keep the tank clear for a while, but good house keeping will keep it non visable. Nassarius snails will keep your sand stirred and an assortment of snails should keep the rocks and sides clean. Good water circulation and skimmers will also help greatly.

[matt]

Cyano has been around since the start of time. I was the first bacteria on the face of the earth.

Sorry, Tim, I couldn't resist... You're looking pretty good for having been around that long

[GaryP]

I forgot the exact statistic, but think about how many millions/billions of bacteria your body hosts and requires.

Your body is just as symbiotic with the bacteria in your gut as our corals are with their zooanthellae, inverts, or fish.

OK, there's your thought for the day.

Gary

[Tim Marvin]

Thanks for pointing that out, I made a corredtion....LOL....Anyway, Cyano isn't much to worry about. You can kill off the visual stuff easy enough, but fixing the problem in the tank so you don't have to see it very often is a bit more tricky. I have some that keeps growing in my sump and it is getting Blasted with circulation. I just pull out the caulerpa that it is growing on now and then and trash it.

[GaryP]

I just had a small cyano outbreak after I moved my tank. I just vacummed it out, did weekly water changes, and added a powerhead to get more circulation in the corner that it was growing. The corner was a deadspot that I overlooked when I set up my tank again. It pretty much went away after that.

Gary

[GaryP]

And I changed out my lightbulbs too. They needed it anyway.

[longhorn_20m]

not trying to steal thread, but what is a good turnover rate?

I have a jbj nano cube and i think i need to increase the flow. Right now I have a minijet 606 on it pumping around 140gph i believe.