Chemiclean?

Dan9 · 01/06/2007, 02:08 PM

I am considering trying out chemiclean for my cyano problem. Can anyone tell me about your experiences with it. Is there any risks involved with using it? Thanks in advance for the help.

Randall_James · 01/06/2007, 02:13 PM

It will knock out the Cyano but it also depletes oxygen and makes skimmer operation a no-no for a day.

Also IMO it is a band-aid for another issue. Your cyano is picking up nutrient from somewhere and that needs addressed.

Some have stated that "low circulation" is the "root cause" of cyano, I do not buy into that, I think that excess nutrient in the water column is the issue and that the circulation only allows it to manifest itself in areas of low flow.

if you use the stuff, just make sure you follow the directions to the letter.

Shagsbeard · 01/06/2007, 02:18 PM

My cyano problem happened about month 4 and I didn't do anything but try to clean it off. I'm now in month six, and there's very little of it, and it's certainly not growing like it did for a while. It might just be a phase the tank is going through, or I might have had a problem that solved itself. I wouldn't look for a chemical solution just yet.

bertoni · 01/06/2007, 04:39 PM

Chemi-Clean has been known to crash tanks. If you use it, I'd suggest siphoning out all the cyanobacteria you can before dosing.

zoomfish1 · 01/06/2007, 08:42 PM

IMO, if you're going to use chemi-clean, you need to address the nutrient issues first. Lower phosphates, reduce feeding and light cycle. Cyano happens in a lot of tanks after initial set up.

Phos-ban or Rowa will help to reduce the phosphate, a phosphate reactor will also help. Bottom line, I guess, is take care of the source of the cyano first. Then if it dosen't clear up use the chemi clean. I have used it before and it will get rid of the problem but if you don't address the source it will return.

My 2 cents, I will go now.

Joshua1023 · 01/06/2007, 08:56 PM

I just finished a cycle of Chemi-Clean. I was having a heck of a time trying to get rid of the cyano. With 4 MJ1200's and a mag 9 for a return pump I knew that flow was not the problem. I did have a crappy skimmer (Prizm Pro), so I upgraded to a CSS220 and started a regiment of Phosban to get rid of as many phosphates as possible. I scooped and siphoned out as much of the red devil as I could, and then I finally dosed w/ Chemi-Clean. Please note that I only used half of the recommended dosage. I added an air pump w/ stone, and a MJ900 w/ the venturi attached, to my sump. I then unplugged my protein skimmer and removed my carbon and Phosban. Finally I added my half dosage to a few cups of tank water and shook the hell out of it. I then slowly added it to my tank. It should be noticed that with the half dose it took three days to get rid of all remaining cyano, and I do mean all of it. You should also consider using this product when you are going to be home all day, that way you can keep and eye on your tank and see if anything is stressing over it. I had a 20% water change ready and waiting just in case. I still havn't added carbon back yet, but I havn't seen any ill effects from my fish or coral. If you are going to use it, do it with caution, and everything should turn out just fine.

horstman2 · 01/07/2007, 08:07 AM

It is a dangerous product used wrong. i have/had the same thing and it just takes dilligence and everyday going in and pulling it out. You must run phosphate remover and perhaps kill the lightrs for a few days and then start them back at a few hours a day.....

BadOleRoss · 01/07/2007, 09:57 AM

I had a bad case of cyno in my 220 FOWLR covering all of my LR and substrate. I tried everything from changing/increasing water flow to cutting down on food with little or no results. Still not sure whet the underlying cause was. Anyway, I used Maracyn for freshwater to get rid of it and it worked great with no side effects. Add 1 crushed up tablet for every 10 gallons of water. My cyno cleared in 3-4 days.

01/06/2007, 02:08 PM	#1
Dan9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Williamsville, NY Posts: 392	Chemiclean? I am considering trying out chemiclean for my cyano problem. Can anyone tell me about your experiences with it. Is there any risks involved with using it? Thanks in advance for the help. __________________ Dan

01/06/2007, 02:13 PM	#2
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	It will knock out the Cyano but it also depletes oxygen and makes skimmer operation a no-no for a day. Also IMO it is a band-aid for another issue. Your cyano is picking up nutrient from somewhere and that needs addressed. Some have stated that "low circulation" is the "root cause" of cyano, I do not buy into that, I think that excess nutrient in the water column is the issue and that the circulation only allows it to manifest itself in areas of low flow. if you use the stuff, just make sure you follow the directions to the letter. __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

01/06/2007, 04:39 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Chemi-Clean has been known to crash tanks. If you use it, I'd suggest siphoning out all the cyanobacteria you can before dosing. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/06/2007, 08:42 PM	#5
zoomfish1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Claremore, Oklahoma Posts: 1,659	IMO, if you're going to use chemi-clean, you need to address the nutrient issues first. Lower phosphates, reduce feeding and light cycle. Cyano happens in a lot of tanks after initial set up. Phos-ban or Rowa will help to reduce the phosphate, a phosphate reactor will also help. Bottom line, I guess, is take care of the source of the cyano first. Then if it dosen't clear up use the chemi clean. I have used it before and it will get rid of the problem but if you don't address the source it will return. My 2 cents, I will go now. __________________ Zoomfish Current Tank Info: 75g RR, dsb w/90 lbs sand, 150 lb live rock, anemone & LPS tank

01/06/2007, 08:56 PM	#6
Joshua1023 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Reading PA Posts: 1,526	I just finished a cycle of Chemi-Clean. I was having a heck of a time trying to get rid of the cyano. With 4 MJ1200's and a mag 9 for a return pump I knew that flow was not the problem. I did have a crappy skimmer (Prizm Pro), so I upgraded to a CSS220 and started a regiment of Phosban to get rid of as many phosphates as possible. I scooped and siphoned out as much of the red devil as I could, and then I finally dosed w/ Chemi-Clean. Please note that I only used half of the recommended dosage. I added an air pump w/ stone, and a MJ900 w/ the venturi attached, to my sump. I then unplugged my protein skimmer and removed my carbon and Phosban. Finally I added my half dosage to a few cups of tank water and shook the hell out of it. I then slowly added it to my tank. It should be noticed that with the half dose it took three days to get rid of all remaining cyano, and I do mean all of it. You should also consider using this product when you are going to be home all day, that way you can keep and eye on your tank and see if anything is stressing over it. I had a 20% water change ready and waiting just in case. I still havn't added carbon back yet, but I havn't seen any ill effects from my fish or coral. If you are going to use it, do it with caution, and everything should turn out just fine. __________________ 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

01/06/2007, 02:18 PM	#3
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	My cyano problem happened about month 4 and I didn't do anything but try to clean it off. I'm now in month six, and there's very little of it, and it's certainly not growing like it did for a while. It might just be a phase the tank is going through, or I might have had a problem that solved itself. I wouldn't look for a chemical solution just yet.

01/07/2007, 08:07 AM	#7
horstman2 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Vermont Posts: 167	It is a dangerous product used wrong. i have/had the same thing and it just takes dilligence and everyday going in and pulling it out. You must run phosphate remover and perhaps kill the lightrs for a few days and then start them back at a few hours a day.....

01/07/2007, 09:57 AM	#8
BadOleRoss Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lynchburg VA Posts: 381	I had a bad case of cyno in my 220 FOWLR covering all of my LR and substrate. I tried everything from changing/increasing water flow to cutting down on food with little or no results. Still not sure whet the underlying cause was. Anyway, I used Maracyn for freshwater to get rid of it and it worked great with no side effects. Add 1 crushed up tablet for every 10 gallons of water. My cyno cleared in 3-4 days.