Cyano Problem

Oliver Nivbrant · 03/02/2006, 04:39 AM

I am getting alot of Cyano in my tank and I am concerned as to why. My phosphates both in my tap water and in my tank are 0 and I did a water change yesturday. There are only two things I can think of that are causing the problem. Either the flake food that I am using or Wardley water conditioner. I have been using the flakes for 1 yr now so the likleyhood that they are the problem are slimm i would think. Is it possible that the Wardley conditioner is causing the cyano, I have always used Prime before.

many thanks to your help

boxfishpooalot · 03/02/2006, 05:20 AM

You have a sand bed? Apparently, as bacteria in the lower layers move up due to overpopulation, they push out phosphte near the top layers allowing it to enter the tank water. Same goes with rocks. So your cyano gets a hold of this free phosphate, and can make its own nitrates from N2 gas dissolved in the water. Nitrate is not limiting to cyano, but phosphte is.

Where is cyano growing anyways? How old is the tank/sand?

Some "cures" have been suggested:
-increase flow
-decrease phosphates
-clean half the sand bed out, add new sand, 2 months later, do the other side.

I think that increases flow, serves only as a means to disturb the area making it harder for cyano to grow on/attach to. Also the flow aids in removing particulates.

03/02/2006, 04:39 AM	#1
Oliver Nivbrant Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 38	Cyano Problem I am getting alot of Cyano in my tank and I am concerned as to why. My phosphates both in my tap water and in my tank are 0 and I did a water change yesturday. There are only two things I can think of that are causing the problem. Either the flake food that I am using or Wardley water conditioner. I have been using the flakes for 1 yr now so the likleyhood that they are the problem are slimm i would think. Is it possible that the Wardley conditioner is causing the cyano, I have always used Prime before. many thanks to your help

03/02/2006, 05:20 AM	#2
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	You have a sand bed? Apparently, as bacteria in the lower layers move up due to overpopulation, they push out phosphte near the top layers allowing it to enter the tank water. Same goes with rocks. So your cyano gets a hold of this free phosphate, and can make its own nitrates from N2 gas dissolved in the water. Nitrate is not limiting to cyano, but phosphte is. Where is cyano growing anyways? How old is the tank/sand? Some "cures" have been suggested: -increase flow -decrease phosphates -clean half the sand bed out, add new sand, 2 months later, do the other side. I think that increases flow, serves only as a means to disturb the area making it harder for cyano to grow on/attach to. Also the flow aids in removing particulates. __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.