Blackout for cyano:How often, how many?

Yogre · 04/03/2015, 09:49 AM

Ive been fighting cyano in my tank for a while now, after having let my PO4 levels get a little high. In addition to running GFO to reduce PO4, last month I turned out the lights on my tank for three days. This was quite effective, cyano was gone, but its starting to reappear, although not as bad as before.

So, I'm gonna hit the slime again this weekend with another 3 day blackout. My question is, how often should I do these blackouts, and how many times?

I'm thinking no more than once a month for 3 days at a time, and keep doing it till the cyano is under control.

Your thoughts?

Sk8r · 04/03/2015, 09:57 AM

Once a month WITH a good skimmer. The skimming and/or water changes are a major assist.

sfoister · 04/03/2015, 01:03 PM

It would be a shame not to address a) increase flow in the area where the cyano is growing and b) make sure your source water does not contain po4, use ro/di.

slief · 04/03/2015, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfoister

It would be a shame not to address a) increase flow in the area where the cyano is growing and b) make sure your source water does not contain po4, use ro/di.

Cyano is bacterial. In my experience, Po4 has nothing to do with its presence. Low flow as you pointed out and accumulation of waste are the biggest contributing factors and waste tends to accumulate in the areas with the least amount of flow.

Yogre · 04/03/2015, 09:17 PM

Thanks y'all.

I have a good skimmer (30" Lifereef) and am skimming wet. I usually change 10% water per week.

I have to figure PO4 is implicated in my problem. I'd never had cyano until I let PO4 get up to 0.10ppm. I know some people have good luck with PO4 at this level but I don't have the corals/clams to take this level up so I end up with pests.

IanWR · 04/03/2015, 10:00 PM

When I was battling dinos last year I did a 3 day blackout every week for 3 weeks. Then every 2 weeks for I think 3 more. I saw no ill effects to fish or coral (Lps and softies mostly, also some monti). I will agree that a blackout is not a solution to sub-optimal flow or over feeding but it really helped as part of the battle plan.

04/03/2015, 09:49 AM	#1
Yogre Cheesehead Reefer Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,351	Blackout for cyano:How often, how many? Ive been fighting cyano in my tank for a while now, after having let my PO4 levels get a little high. In addition to running GFO to reduce PO4, last month I turned out the lights on my tank for three days. This was quite effective, cyano was gone, but its starting to reappear, although not as bad as before. So, I'm gonna hit the slime again this weekend with another 3 day blackout. My question is, how often should I do these blackouts, and how many times? I'm thinking no more than once a month for 3 days at a time, and keep doing it till the cyano is under control. Your thoughts? __________________ "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." ~ Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: 215 gal TBS Reef

04/03/2015, 09:57 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Once a month WITH a good skimmer. The skimming and/or water changes are a major assist. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

04/03/2015, 09:17 PM	#5
Yogre Cheesehead Reefer Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,351	Thanks y'all. I have a good skimmer (30" Lifereef) and am skimming wet. I usually change 10% water per week. I have to figure PO4 is implicated in my problem. I'd never had cyano until I let PO4 get up to 0.10ppm. I know some people have good luck with PO4 at this level but I don't have the corals/clams to take this level up so I end up with pests. __________________ "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." ~ Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: 215 gal TBS Reef

04/03/2015, 10:00 PM	#6
IanWR Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 214	When I was battling dinos last year I did a 3 day blackout every week for 3 weeks. Then every 2 weeks for I think 3 more. I saw no ill effects to fish or coral (Lps and softies mostly, also some monti). I will agree that a blackout is not a solution to sub-optimal flow or over feeding but it really helped as part of the battle plan. __________________ Ian

04/03/2015, 01:03 PM	#3
sfoister Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 149	It would be a shame not to address a) increase flow in the area where the cyano is growing and b) make sure your source water does not contain po4, use ro/di.