To Anyone with Cyano Issues

[ShAgMaN]

I used chemi-clean yesterday, woke up this morning, and basically all the cyano in my tank is history. My case wasn't horrible, but it was getting bad. All livestock looks fine. The water has a red tint to it, but I plan to do a decent water change tomorrow.

I believe the outbreak was related to a part on my skimmer broken - no skimming for around a month or so - the same time cyano broke out. Anyway a helpful dude at AD pointed me to this stuff, and Jason got me the spare skimmer part I needed. I was skeptical at first, reading alot of posts here with mixed results, but as of right now I believe...

Chemi-clean rocks!

[Europhyllia]

I feel that way about poly filter (http://poly-bio-marine.com/poly%20filter%20faq.html). It's great to have products like these available :)

[corruption]

I don't think that anyone really has had problems per se with chemi-clean as far as effectiveness is concerned... its a low-dose biocide, so when you treat with it, you are killing off not just the cyanobacteria, but also your biological filtration bacteria -- the good guys... As far as them working -- they work fantastically, but they address the appearance, not the cause, and can be detrimental to tank stability.

They typically don't cause problems for corals and fish, if not overdosed, but their effects on biological filtration can be devastating..

-Corruption

[Europhyllia]

Oops. Sorry. I thought chemi-clean was a nutrient export media like the poly filter. I didn't realize it was a medication. Not the same thing then. ;)

[corruption]

Nope, you're thinking of Boyd's Chemi-Pure and Chemi-Pure Elite-- which is awesome like Poly Filter -- I regularly utilize both :)

I believe Chemi-Clean and Chemi-Pure are both Boyd's products though..

Edit: I regularly utilize both Chemi-Pure Elite and Poly Filter, is what I meant -- the only major difference between Chemi-Pure and Chemi-Pure Elite is that Elite will sap more of the phosphates due to chemical composition, than the regular Chemi-Pure will... both are quite effective though.

-Corruption

[Bill S]

Glad you had a good experience with it. However, it's not something I'd ever use.

[corruption]

Glad you had a good experience with it. However, it's not something I'd ever use.

Agreed -- cyano isn't tough to 'beat' (I say 'beat' cuz its never really gone -- just at bay with unfavorable conditions :)) if you use some precise methodology.

-Corruption

[ShAgMaN]

I'm aware my bio-filtration may suffer, but we will see. I'll keep you posted on any significant changes. I just thought I'd try this out and let people know my results. Additionally, I use Chemi-pure elite in my upstairs tank and have had good results, but the stuff is $ for a 150 gal.

[corruption]

Agreed on the cost -- Poly Filter is probably more cost effective, if you wish for some chemical filtration -- can probably rig up a way to use a single or 2 pads and pass most the water through it... the good thing with both, is assuming you rinse regularly, they both have tank lives of around 6 months :D

-Corruption

[ShAgMaN]

Agreed on the cost -- Poly Filter is probably more cost effective, if you wish for some chemical filtration -- can probably rig up a way to use a single or 2 pads and pass most the water through it... the good thing with both, is assuming you rinse regularly, they both have tank lives of around 6 months :D

-Corruption

When you talking about poly filter, I assume you mean the regular white and blue pads they sell everywhere. I usually buy a big sheet, cut to size, rinse them once a week and ditch them after a month.

[corruption]

Nope, not the same -- thats just filter floss in a mat... This is a specific product:

http://www.aquatichouse.com/FILTRATION%20MENU_files/Polyfilter.asp

...and its pretty much uncompared by any other in the market :)

-Corruption

[ShAgMaN]

Glad I asked, so this stuff is way better? What the big difference and how often do you rinse or replace?

[corruption]

Replace every 2-3 months, rinse every water change... its a proper chemical filtration media -- think what carbon is SUPPOSED to do, but it actually does it well :) It even contains indicators so that if/when contaminants are in your tank, you can identify some of them, based on the color of the pad... Good stuff :)

Edit: On how often to replace them -- this is entirely dependent on the state of the filter after a cleaning -- its a judgement call.. Chances are, the pad itself is still working when its thrown away, but at what effaciacy is the question :)

-Corruption

[Europhyllia]

When you talking about poly filter, I assume you mean the regular white and blue pads they sell everywhere. I usually buy a big sheet, cut to size, rinse them once a week and ditch them after a month.

I hate that they call it Poly Filter. It sounds just like it's plain old polyester fiber. What they mean with it though is that it removes multiple (poly) things.
I had a link to the Poly Filter FAQs in my first response. :)

[corruption]

Nice, Karin -- I completely missed that :) Sneaky sneaky! :D

-Corruption

[ShAgMaN]

I hate that they call it Poly Filter. It sounds just like it's plain old polyester fiber. What they mean with it though is that it removes multiple (poly) things.
I had a link to the Poly Filter FAQs in my first response. :)

Exactly, all this talk about poly filter and I'm thinking it's just the filter floss and wondering what the big deal is. Sorry, I didn't see that link. Anyway, cool I'm gonna try some once I use my floss up - actually I might use both.

[Wryknow]

Please keep us updated on whether or not there were any ill effects from the treatment. I've been a bit sceptical of this particular product but don't have anything to base that on and would like more information.

[ShAgMaN]

Will do, got home this morning and the tank was sparkling clean and my coral and fish/inverts look just fine. I will do a water change tomorrow and start my skimmer back up. I'll post here in a week to give an update and any change in parameters.

[Ping]

Too many tanks have had full meltdowns after the use of products like chemi-clean. I am glad yours did not, but pouring chemicals in our systems is dangerous.

[ShAgMaN]

Too many tanks have had full meltdowns after the use of products like chemi-clean. I am glad yours did not, but pouring chemicals in our systems is dangerous.

I kinda look at it the same as medication/drugs when your sick. The right stuff helps you fight it, the wrong stuff/dose increases side effects. Still maybe I'm lucky? All I know is cyano sucks and I was sick of it. Now it's gone and my livestock appears fine...to be continued.

[tony]

ive used chemiclean a multitude of times and never had a single bad experience. it is a great product.