Is this cyano or something else?

reilly2524 · 11/08/2017, 02:23 PM

My tank has been up for 6 weeks and about 3 weeks ago the diatoms came and now I’ve noticed this red algae on the sand bed as well. It looks different from the diatoms so I am assuming it is cyano(first photo is the red stuff the others are for reference). The tank is stocked with 2 clowns 1 bangai and 1 flame hawk water is 0tds rodi water salt is Red Sea coral pro, I just recently got my skimmer running. No cheato. Lights are 2 kessil a160s running a 12 hour schedule with a peak at 45% intensity for 6 hours. Nitrates is 6ppm and phosphate is at 0. Also I used all Marco rock and dry caribsea sand. I am also running gfo and carbon. What should I do? I want to get this taken care of ASAP because I got sps frags coming in soon.

Thanks, Reilly

mcgyvr · 11/08/2017, 02:36 PM

First.. why are you running GFO? Its for those with a phosphate PROBLEM.. Which you don't have so I highly suggest removing that from the system as you can do more harm running it when you don't need it..

Second.. yes it could be cyano.. But a picture would really help.. as "red algae" is too generic and cyano is actually a bacteria not an algae..

But yes its VERY common to have diatoms, green hair/film algae and then cyano in a new tank in that order too...

I'd actually suggest you slow down and let your tank "mature" before you attempt SPS corals.. Its still going through changes and corals HATE changes..

Then here are some ways to deal with cyano
#1-Turn the lights off for 3 days..
#2-Siphon it out during water changes
#3-Increase flow in that area
#4-reduce dissolved organics via water changes
#5-Chemical means like red slime remover or chemiclean (not recommended in your situation IMO)
#6-Just let it be as it a normal part and is beneficial..

reilly2524 · 11/08/2017, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

First.. why are you running GFO? Its for those with a phosphate PROBLEM.. Which you don't have so I highly suggest removing that from the system as you can do more harm running it when you don't need it..

Second.. yes it could be cyano.. But a picture would really help.. as "red algae" is too generic and cyano is actually a bacteria not an algae..

But yes its VERY common to have diatoms, green hair/film algae and then cyano in a new tank in that order too...

I'd actually suggest you slow down and let your tank "mature" before you attempt SPS corals.. Its still going through changes and corals HATE changes..

Then here are some ways to deal with cyano
#1-Turn the lights off for 3 days..
#2-Siphon it out during water changes
#3-Increase flow in that area
#4-reduce dissolved organics via water changes
#5-Chemical means like red slime remover or chemiclean (not recommended in your situation IMO)
#6-Just let it be as it a normal part and is beneficial..

I just added photos, I will keep up with the weekly water changes that I have been doing and I will try I increase the flow for that area. I will also remove the gfo. I already paid for the sps and I already have some that are very happy so I’m just going to have to be careful, the sps I got were easier sps like birdsnests and stylos. Generally how long can I expect this stuff to stay around for?

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mcgyvr · 11/08/2017, 04:35 PM

Ok.. I see the pics now..
and yep... 100% "classic" example of the new tank/ugly stages (rather minor too).. (but you have all 3 right there)

expect another few weeks of it if you are lucky... in general the ugly stages can stay around for a month or more..
I don't see much of a clean up crew in there.. got a few snails? they should take care of most of it..

that chalice doesn't look happy and that monti isn't colored up real well either.. good luck..
Friendly reminder that "nothing good happens fast" in this hobby..

reilly2524 · 11/08/2017, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Ok.. I see the pics now..
and yep... 100% "classic" example of the new tank/ugly stages (rather minor too).. (but you have all 3 right there)

expect another few weeks of it if you are lucky... in general the ugly stages can stay around for a month or more..

that chalice doesn't look happy and that monti isn't colored up real well either.. good luck..
Friendly reminder that "nothing good happens fast" in this hobby..

I got the chalice and monti both like that at my lfs for $2 frags.

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mcgyvr · 11/08/2017, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reilly2524

I got the chalice and monti both like that at my lfs for $2 frags.

ok good.. hopefully they recover..

reilly2524 · 11/25/2017, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

ok good.. hopefully they recover..

hey sorry to bring back a dead thread but the cyano has gotten worse. all parameters are still good and only some sps frags have been added, no fish. na dive been keeping up with weekly 20% WC. I'm assuming this is all normal i just wanted to check with you guys PS it doesnt actually look that pink looks like normal cyano color

11/08/2017, 02:23 PM	#1
reilly2524 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 78	Is this cyano or something else? My tank has been up for 6 weeks and about 3 weeks ago the diatoms came and now I’ve noticed this red algae on the sand bed as well. It looks different from the diatoms so I am assuming it is cyano(first photo is the red stuff the others are for reference). The tank is stocked with 2 clowns 1 bangai and 1 flame hawk water is 0tds rodi water salt is Red Sea coral pro, I just recently got my skimmer running. No cheato. Lights are 2 kessil a160s running a 12 hour schedule with a peak at 45% intensity for 6 hours. Nitrates is 6ppm and phosphate is at 0. Also I used all Marco rock and dry caribsea sand. I am also running gfo and carbon. What should I do? I want to get this taken care of ASAP because I got sps frags coming in soon. Thanks, Reilly Last edited by reilly2524; 11/08/2017 at 02:35 PM.

11/08/2017, 02:36 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	First.. why are you running GFO? Its for those with a phosphate PROBLEM.. Which you don't have so I highly suggest removing that from the system as you can do more harm running it when you don't need it.. Second.. yes it could be cyano.. But a picture would really help.. as "red algae" is too generic and cyano is actually a bacteria not an algae.. But yes its VERY common to have diatoms, green hair/film algae and then cyano in a new tank in that order too... I'd actually suggest you slow down and let your tank "mature" before you attempt SPS corals.. Its still going through changes and corals HATE changes.. Then here are some ways to deal with cyano #1-Turn the lights off for 3 days.. #2-Siphon it out during water changes #3-Increase flow in that area #4-reduce dissolved organics via water changes #5-Chemical means like red slime remover or chemiclean (not recommended in your situation IMO) #6-Just let it be as it a normal part and is beneficial.. __________________ Who me?

11/08/2017, 04:35 PM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Ok.. I see the pics now.. and yep... 100% "classic" example of the new tank/ugly stages (rather minor too).. (but you have all 3 right there) expect another few weeks of it if you are lucky... in general the ugly stages can stay around for a month or more.. I don't see much of a clean up crew in there.. got a few snails? they should take care of most of it.. that chalice doesn't look happy and that monti isn't colored up real well either.. good luck.. Friendly reminder that "nothing good happens fast" in this hobby.. __________________ Who me?