Cyano (Don't understand why need help)

[tosiek]

The underlying problem has eluded me for the past month, as a check in water parameters doesn't indicate that there should be a problem. The one that I get asked about the most is Phosphate, and with a hanna meter it repeated tests at .01 to .02 , feeding is not a problem since I am not a heavy feeder. The only other possible cause would be water movement, I would venture to say that the spots with the most cyano are the ones with the slowest movement because of the aquascaping. In this regard I have implemented a solution and added the special blend also as an added help.

I didn't mean it as using special blend is wrong. Please don't take it that way as thats not what I meant. I've had cyano problems that I couldn't figure out and used red slime remover, over and over, every 6 months, then figured out it was my T5's giving me the cyano, or my salt coupled with mediocre husbandry =( Changed the bulbs earlier, and switched salt brands and I haven't seen cyano since.

I just seen some people talk about it like its something to use for reg maintenance and thats the wrong way to look at it.

 

[NL146]

... figured out it was my T5's giving me the cyano, or my salt coupled with mediocre husbandry =( Changed the bulbs earlier...

Could you explain how poor lighting increases cyano growth? I've also seen a couple of posts suggesting that longer light cycles or shorter light cycles (conflicting) increases cyano growth.

 

[ming]

Nigel,
Its more like OLD bulbs increases cyano growth. As the bulbs get older, they burn out the phosphors of the bulbs. This changes the spectrum of the bulb slowly over time. It shifts to a lower kelvin spectrum which favors cyano to grow faster.

 

[NL146]

Cool. Thanks Ming.

 

[Alex]

I didn't mean it as using special blend is wrong. Please don't take it that way as thats not what I meant. I've had cyano problems that I couldn't figure out and used red slime remover, over and over, every 6 months, then figured out it was my T5's giving me the cyano, or my salt coupled with mediocre husbandry =( Changed the bulbs earlier, and switched salt brands and I haven't seen cyano since.

I just seen some people talk about it like its something to use for reg maintenance and thats the wrong way to look at it.

your post was not taken the wrong way, I didn't think it was meant to offend. I took it as a side note or information. no offense was taken so not a problem. And I happen to agree with you on the possiblity that It could be a lack of a good bacterial mix or what i mentioned as the aquascaping causing diminished flow. Hopefully the special blend will give me the push in the correct direction. Thanks.

 

[steve614]

I had the same problem.I added a small aquaclear filter with chemipure elite and changed my MH bulb and a week later its all gone

 

[InfernoST]

My lamps are only 2 months old and also tried the chemipure elite and still have the problem.

 

[Donewiththisplace]

Been using Reef Crystals and had a problem with cyano myself...one dose of Red Slime Remover about 4 months ago and havent seen a touch of it since.

I too dont like adding chemicals...but if it is the only thing that works and saves you a ton of time and money..then go for it.

 

[InfernoST]

Been using Reef Crystals and had a problem with cyano myself...one dose of Red Slime Remover about 4 months ago and havent seen a touch of it since.

I too dont like adding chemicals...but if it is the only thing that works and saves you a ton of time and money..then go for it.

My problem is that I have to know what the cause is even though I know there are products out there that will alleviate the problem. I have the Red slime remover but am not going to use it until I go through all of the possible causes and even then I'll keep trying to find the answer. I'm not happy with the quick fix approach because that would mean I didn't learn anything and that's the part of this I hobby I love the most no matter how frustrating the problem or solution is.

 

[InfernoST]

I figured I'd put up levels of ESV salt mix observed after mixing the first batch. All tests were performed using Salifert test kits.

Salinity mixed to 1.026 @ 77 degrees F using RO/DI water
Ca = 550
Mg = 1500+
DKH = 10
PH = 8.4
NO3 = Undetectable
PO4 = Undetectable
Silicate = Undetectable

This salt mixed up crystal clear in roughly 15 minutes and left no residue what so ever behind unlike the Reef crystals. So far I have changed 30 gallons 2 days ago with no Ill affect to the inhabitants so I'm going for another 30 tonight.

 

[jadakiss]

cool keep me posted

 

[chinatown]

whao, strong mag in that salt.

 

[guri]

removing phosphate will help a lot but cayno will grow anyway( but much less) because it uses sulfates when phosphates are scares sulphates you are adding with magnesium (or other stuff) as soon as phosphates will be available it will grow fast so it souled be like an indicator for u to change a ferric oxide if u r just starting a tank you will get it no matter what "welcome to the club "

 

[InfernoST]

cool keep me posted

10-4.

 

[InfernoST]

whao, strong mag in that salt.

Mg and Ca are high, I have a good feeling about the ESV salt mix.

 

[InfernoST]

removing phosphate will help a lot but cayno will grow anyway( but much less) because it uses sulfates when phosphates are scares sulphates you are adding with magnesium (or other stuff) as soon as phosphates will be available it will grow fast so it souled be like an indicator for u to change a ferric oxide if u r just starting a tank you will get it no matter what "welcome to the club "

The tank is 1 1/2 years old and this has been an ongoing issue. The salifert test kit isn't detecting any signs of phosphate even when tested using the more sensitive testing procedure. The salt is the only thing I haven't changed so this is what I'm in the process of doing now.

 

[InfernoST]

Update

After changing a total of 60 gallons of RC with ESV the tank parameters are far better than with RC all be it the Mg and Ca are rather high but are not affecting anything in the tank in a negative way. The few corals I do have, perked up and the fish are friskier. So far so good. The cyano growth seems to have slowed tremendously, there is however a slight growth in the corner but that is probably due to poor water flow in that area.

Tank Parameters
Cyanobacteria = retreating:shhh:
Temp = 77 F
Salinity = 1.026
Ca = 550
Mg = 1500+
DKH = 10.6
PH = 8.4
NO3 = Undetectable
PO4 = Undetectable
Silicate = Undetectable
Photo Period = 5.5 hrs (2 x 250 MH 10000K XM)

I'll update after the next 30 Gal WC next week.

 

[bartmalave]

vodka dosing an incredible thing

 

[DrHarryLopez]

After changing a total of 60 gallons of RC with ESV the tank parameters are far better than with RC all be it the Mg and Ca are rather high but are not affecting anything in the tank in a negative way. The few corals I do have, perked up and the fish are friskier. So far so good. The cyano growth seems to have slowed tremendously, there is however a slight growth in the corner but that is probably due to poor water flow in that area.

Tank Parameters
Cyanobacteria = retreating:shhh:
Temp = 77 F
Salinity = 1.026
Ca = 550
Mg = 1500+
DKH = 10.6
PH = 8.4
NO3 = Undetectable
PO4 = Undetectable
Silicate = Undetectable
Photo Period = 5.5 hrs (2 x 250 MH 10000K XM)

I'll update after the next 30 Gal WC next week.

Bring some water to test tomorrow. I would NOT dose with numbers like that. You are very high in numbers.

Say no to Vodka dosing.

 

[THEDLO]

u mean u wouldnt dose?