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View Full Version : cyanobacteria - how to remove it?



glarior
Mon, 6th Sep 2010, 11:34 AM
What are ways I can get this stuff gone because its still killing my coral.

Setup:
75g tank, 125g coaralife skimmer, ~20g sump with fuge', rio 3100 pump, 1 power head in tank. Soft corals are in the tank but a lot of the polyps have been killed because of the bacteria.

So far, I have been siphoning out any bacteria I can physically see. However, its even in the fuge right now and that is almost impossible to get it out. I added a phosphate pad, 2 bio chem bags, did a 40g water change and going to start doing 5-10g water changes every other day. I also bought a new light which should arrive next week. It was mentioned that the metal halide lights will change color spectrum and that cyanobacteria likes that. I have also decreased the amount of food fed to the fish. Also, have not fed the corals the liquid stuff I have (can't think of the name at this second).

So what else is there for me to do?

Thanks

ErikH
Mon, 6th Sep 2010, 12:27 PM
http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?52023-My-battle-with-Cyano-and-what-I-am-doing-to-beat-it....&highlight=beat+cyano

as an addendum; remove the chemiclean after 24 hours. Turn your skimmer off overnight.

BSJF
Mon, 6th Sep 2010, 01:02 PM
I would add more circulation in the tank. You can also use a turkey baster to keep the corals clean. Have you tested your water for phosphates and nitrate? WCs if these are high. The phosban you have already added will help with the phosphates, but do WCs for the nitrates. Once these are in control though, you don't want to do a lot of water changes, or you are introducing stuff for the cyano to feed on again. What do you have in the fuge? Make sure it is a fast growing macro algae like chaeto. And how long has it been since you changed out the lights? The macro algae should double in size about every month. If it isn't, you need a new bulb or additional light on it.

ErikH
Mon, 6th Sep 2010, 02:15 PM
High phosphates will also hinder macro algae growth. :(

ZeroHour
Mon, 6th Sep 2010, 02:22 PM
chemipure elite when ya get it under control

glarior
Mon, 6th Sep 2010, 03:56 PM
I would add more circulation in the tank. You can also use a turkey baster to keep the corals clean. Have you tested your water for phosphates and nitrate? WCs if these are high. The phosban you have already added will help with the phosphates, but do WCs for the nitrates. Once these are in control though, you don't want to do a lot of water changes, or you are introducing stuff for the cyano to feed on again. What do you have in the fuge? Make sure it is a fast growing macro algae like chaeto. And how long has it been since you changed out the lights? The macro algae should double in size about every month. If it isn't, you need a new bulb or additional light on it.

What would you recommend to circulate the water? The power head I bought I don't really like. Can't think of the brand right now.

Not using a turkey baster just tiny tube and siphon the cyano off.

I will test tonight.

Fuge has macro algae which is growing back. The old light literally fell apart and by the time I was able to replace it the algae started to die and was being sucked into the pump. Right now its growing again and getting biggger.

I have never changed the metal halide bulbs for over a year. I bought a new 48" light which should arrive this week. It has 2x250w 15000k metal halide, 4x 65w ancetic blue bulbs.

Also the chem bag I put in the sump is Chemipure.

glarior
Tue, 7th Sep 2010, 10:39 AM
I am thinking of adding a UV light to the setup.... what do yall think?