cyanobacteria questions - is it harmful?

jimrawr · 02/05/2007, 07:28 PM

I am having a little cyanobacteria bloom on my sand. Just wondering if this stuff is dangerous, should I be trying to take it out every day, or should I just leave it until the goes away on its own?

Any ways to get rid of it other than just syphoning it out?

bertoni · 02/05/2007, 07:32 PM

It can overgrow corals and cause problems, but cyanobacteria doesn't otherwise cause problems. Some dinoflagellates can create toxins, which can be an issue. I controlled cyanobacteria by growing and harvesting a macroalgae, and working on improving the skimming.

jimrawr · 02/05/2007, 07:37 PM

Hm.. well I only have a 30g with no sump, so not looking to have macroalgae really. My skimmer is a Remora so that should be good enough..

Any other things I can do to combat this? Does it typically go away on its own or will it stay around for a long time if not dealt with?

Joshua1023 · 02/05/2007, 07:46 PM

Every case is different. In my case it almost covered several of my coral and killed some of my sand polyps by smothering them. I had an extreme case though. Some people have a little patch or two that doesn't expand while others have it bad and it goes away on its own. Phosban in a media bag seemed to help keep it under control, for me anyway.

teetimefun · 02/05/2007, 08:02 PM

I have a 30g no fuge. If your cyano is occuring in only one place then you could have a flow problem. If it's all over then it could be indicative of a nutrient problem. I don't grow macroalgae but my cyano problem was licked by a new powerhead and a polyfilter.

jimrawr · 02/05/2007, 08:17 PM

Yeah that may be what it is that makes sense. I have my plate coral in a low flow area since thats what he likes, and the cyano is also right there. So probably it is low flow. Going to adjust it a bit thanks.

Although I do have 20x flow which I dont think is considered low, is it?

teetimefun · 02/05/2007, 08:29 PM

Your overall flow maybe be good but sometimes dead spots occur in every tank. What kind of plate do you have? Mine likes moderate turbulent flow.

jimrawr · 02/05/2007, 08:40 PM

Purple Fungia

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...pcatid=483&N=0

teetimefun · 02/05/2007, 08:48 PM

Wow mines a dull green yours is nice. I got an idea increase your flow then trade me.

jimrawr · 02/05/2007, 09:01 PM

haha that one isnt mine, but it looks similar.

02/05/2007, 07:28 PM	#1
jimrawr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Palm Beach County, FL Posts: 1,887	cyanobacteria questions - is it harmful? I am having a little cyanobacteria bloom on my sand. Just wondering if this stuff is dangerous, should I be trying to take it out every day, or should I just leave it until the goes away on its own? Any ways to get rid of it other than just syphoning it out?

02/05/2007, 07:32 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	It can overgrow corals and cause problems, but cyanobacteria doesn't otherwise cause problems. Some dinoflagellates can create toxins, which can be an issue. I controlled cyanobacteria by growing and harvesting a macroalgae, and working on improving the skimming. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/05/2007, 07:37 PM	#3
jimrawr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Palm Beach County, FL Posts: 1,887	Hm.. well I only have a 30g with no sump, so not looking to have macroalgae really. My skimmer is a Remora so that should be good enough.. Any other things I can do to combat this? Does it typically go away on its own or will it stay around for a long time if not dealt with? __________________ Tank Info: 75g, 40g Sump, AquaMaxx Skimmer, Two Tunze 6095, ATI 8x52", Bubble Magus Dosing Pump, Apex Controller, Tunze ATO.

02/05/2007, 07:46 PM	#4
Joshua1023 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Reading PA Posts: 1,526	Every case is different. In my case it almost covered several of my coral and killed some of my sand polyps by smothering them. I had an extreme case though. Some people have a little patch or two that doesn't expand while others have it bad and it goes away on its own. Phosban in a media bag seemed to help keep it under control, for me anyway. __________________ Only bad things happen fast. Only bad thing happen fast. Only bad things happen fast. Man,I'm friggen hard-headed!!! Current Tank Info: 90 gl tank,Coralife 14K MH lights,2 Current dual daylight/actinic 40 watt fixtures, tidepool sump,Coralife SS 220 protein skimmer,six inch sand bed w/ plenum, Current Prime Tower 1/3 hp Chiller,RedSea ozonizer w/ orp

02/05/2007, 08:17 PM	#6
jimrawr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Palm Beach County, FL Posts: 1,887	Yeah that may be what it is that makes sense. I have my plate coral in a low flow area since thats what he likes, and the cyano is also right there. So probably it is low flow. Going to adjust it a bit thanks. Although I do have 20x flow which I dont think is considered low, is it? __________________ Tank Info: 75g, 40g Sump, AquaMaxx Skimmer, Two Tunze 6095, ATI 8x52", Bubble Magus Dosing Pump, Apex Controller, Tunze ATO.

02/05/2007, 08:02 PM	#5
teetimefun Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 281	I have a 30g no fuge. If your cyano is occuring in only one place then you could have a flow problem. If it's all over then it could be indicative of a nutrient problem. I don't grow macroalgae but my cyano problem was licked by a new powerhead and a polyfilter.

02/05/2007, 08:29 PM	#7
teetimefun Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 281	Your overall flow maybe be good but sometimes dead spots occur in every tank. What kind of plate do you have? Mine likes moderate turbulent flow.

02/05/2007, 08:40 PM	#8
jimrawr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Palm Beach County, FL Posts: 1,887	Purple Fungia http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...pcatid=483&N=0 __________________ Tank Info: 75g, 40g Sump, AquaMaxx Skimmer, Two Tunze 6095, ATI 8x52", Bubble Magus Dosing Pump, Apex Controller, Tunze ATO.

02/05/2007, 08:48 PM	#9
teetimefun Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 281	Wow mines a dull green yours is nice. I got an idea increase your flow then trade me.

02/05/2007, 09:01 PM	#10
jimrawr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Palm Beach County, FL Posts: 1,887	haha that one isnt mine, but it looks similar. __________________ Tank Info: 75g, 40g Sump, AquaMaxx Skimmer, Two Tunze 6095, ATI 8x52", Bubble Magus Dosing Pump, Apex Controller, Tunze ATO.