BC 29 Tank update

[Anonymous]

I purchased a Vortech MP-10 last Monday night (12/14)and installed it While the flow looks like it has drastically improved the cyano is still all over.

I did not do any water changes for over 5 weeks and there was no change.

I also added 10 astrea snails (12/14).

Feeding has also been cut to once every 3 days.

I did a 10G water change yesterday - siphoning out what I could. When the lights came on ~5 hours later the tank was covered in cyano again.

Cyano is supposed to be bacterial and swapping out 1/2 the water should have helped but it did not. I tested for nitrates and they are still 0.

The other problem that could be fueling this is a possible heat issue. The tank ranges from 76 to 82 daily. When the lights are on the tank will hit 82 easily. There is nothing I can do about that. Its a Biocube and I need the top on the tank and do not have the electric to run a chiller. I do not think 82 is that bad but the temp swings maybe are doing something.

 

[Len]

You probably have to do a bunch of 10 gallon water changes over the next month or two to get it in control. It takes time, but eventually the cyano gets starved out. Phosban (or similar GFO) helps, but I know you said it's hard to install on a BC. Try PolyFilters too; They can be cut up nicely to fit your filter. You can try beaslbob's lights out trick (2-3 days of full darkness). This should cause the cyano to die out, but chances are, it will grow back again unless you solve the nutrient problem. I'd personally do a series of water changes and the lights-out method. Chemicals like Chemi-Clean and Red Slime Remover may be the last resort.

 

[Anonymous]

I say you need to add GFO, but also make sure that you monitor your Alk closely. I added a cup of GFO to my sump and it drove down my alk and ph for weeks. It caused an acro and a hydrophora to bleach. I use about 10 teaspoons of BRS GFO in my 125 and change it every 6 weeks. Since getting the Alk under control the coral growth has been very fast. Plus, any algae and cyano have disappeared.

My parameters are now a steady:

SG 1.026 REFRACTOMETER
pH 8.3 TETRA
ALK 7.6 SALIFERT
Mag 1640 SALIFERT
Ca 460 RED SEA
Temp 79-80

 

[Anonymous]

Problem is there is no where to add it to get flow through it.

 

[Anonymous]

It may be ugly but you could try using one of these with GFO and remove it when the stuff is under control:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/pho ... r-150.html

or

http://www.marinedepot.com/Magnavore_Si ... CR-vi.html

or

http://www.marinedepot.com/filters_viaa ... al-ap.html