is it OK to have cyano in the refugium?

yoyoyoo123 · 04/02/2006, 11:44 PM

I have some cyano growing on and around my chaeto and calpura pellata in the refugium. Is that okay? The light in the fuge is on 24/7 and I have no signs of cyano in the main tank.

fish are life · 04/02/2006, 11:56 PM

ehy atleast u dont have it is ur main tank lik me. it isnt bad but it is still there

yoyoyoo123 · 04/03/2006, 01:41 AM

should I try to take it out? or should I let it grow rampant?

cardgenius · 04/03/2006, 02:13 AM

get some more flow in there and it should clear up. You can also buy Chemi-Clean and it will get rid of it. But if you dont have enough water movement it will keep coming back.

fishypets · 04/03/2006, 05:06 AM

Check you H20 quality. That stuff appears when something is wrong. More flow would help break it up but something else is the cause.

Shooter7 · 04/03/2006, 05:26 AM

My system is pretty new, just 3 months old, and I have cyano in my refugium as well. Had a little of it in my display, but that cleared up completely. Not sure if the others are truly reading the question here as higher flow is usually desired in the display to help with cyano, but most people don't want high flow in their refugium. Will tag along...

fishypets · 04/03/2006, 05:29 AM

Newer systems will for the most part go through a "cycle" and have a cyano outbreak that clears up after a month or so.

myakkareef · 04/03/2006, 06:19 AM

My Fuge is about 10 years old, and differnet algaes come and go from it. But my display tank stays algae free, so this is why I like fuge. Atleast it stays down there and not in the display...

yoyoyoo123 · 04/04/2006, 12:13 AM

well, I just sucked out all of the cyano, it was buggin me. I did up the flow slightly, so hopefully it won't come back.

I still have tiny patches of hair algae in the main tank, im hoping it disappears soon.

ste6168 · 04/04/2006, 12:19 AM

imstead of upping the flow through the whole sump, just put a small PH in the refuge to up the flow...

Dubbin1 · 04/04/2006, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ste6168
imstead of upping the flow through the whole sump, just put a small PH in the refuge to up the flow...

Powerheads and macro algae = plugged up powerhead

somethingphishy · 04/04/2006, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cardgenius
get some more flow in there and it should clear up. You can also buy Chemi-Clean and it will get rid of it. But if you dont have enough water movement it will keep coming back.

had no luck with chemi-clean
use ultra life's Red Slime Remover

PatMayo · 04/04/2006, 08:01 AM

fishypets,
I disagree. Most refugiums and sumps will get cyno in that area but zero in the main tank. It is not necessarily a sign of "bad" water. The consensus has been from many "pretty good" aquarist's that it is not significant in any way unless you have it in your main display tank.

I have some cyno in my sump but zero in the main tank and my water quality is quite healty thank you. Red, green and purple coralline growth everywhere and crystal clear water. Alk 3.10, calcium 430, ph 8.15, mag 1350 with zero nitrates to boot.

At least this has been my experience. Some folks will siphon out the cyno in the sump/fuge just because they don't like the look of it but it harms nothing. It's an individual thing I suppose.

Regards,

Pat

fishypets · 04/04/2006, 08:47 AM

Pat,

You may be right but with hair alge in the display tank I'd bet there is a quality problem.

Yoyo,

What is your RO/DI source? You might want to check that if everything else is in line.

Craig Lambert · 04/04/2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PatMayo
fishypets,
I disagree. Most refugiums and sumps will get cyno in that area but zero in the main tank. It is not necessarily a sign of "bad" water. The consensus has been from many "pretty good" aquarist's that it is not significant in any way unless you have it in your main display tank.

I have some cyno in my sump but zero in the main tank and my water quality is quite healty thank you. Red, green and purple coralline growth everywhere and crystal clear water. Alk 3.10, calcium 430, ph 8.15, mag 1350 with zero nitrates to boot.

At least this has been my experience. Some folks will siphon out the cyno in the sump/fuge just because they don't like the look of it but it harms nothing. It's an individual thing I suppose.

Regards,

Pat

I totally agree!

MCary · 04/04/2006, 10:02 AM

Let the cyano grow and form a slimy crust, then siphon or scoop it out. Nutirent export. After a while it will go. Like you said, its a new system.

hawaiianwargod · 04/04/2006, 10:12 AM

PatMayo,

I agree with you 100%. As long as it stay in the fuge it will be ok.
Harvesting macro algae once a month is part of my regimen and some cyano appears in my fuge but very minimal. I tested my water and it is in in excellent parameters.

suasponte2/75 · 04/04/2006, 10:20 PM

I've had cyano, hair, macro ... you name it grow in my fuge. It's butt ugly down there (it is a sump!) but my display has great coralline growth and no nuisance algae to speak of, crystal clear waters

. I think it's better to have it out compete your display tank for nutrients. I also periodically scrape all the crude out, including the macro (chaeto) and toss it. Been doing it for over 4-5 years without any problems.

JMO,

Minh

TWallace · 04/04/2006, 11:20 PM

I had cyano in my fuge as well. It choked out my chaeto and killed almost all of it off. I used chemi clean to get rid of it but had to order more chaeto. For that reason, I'd look into getting rid of it. I never had cyano growing in my display during that.

cfarrow2 · 04/05/2006, 12:03 AM

I can't imagine that cyano wouldn't spread from the fuge to the display; that stuff is so stubborn.
I use chemi-clean and it works like a charm on cyano. My problem is probably too much phosphates due to the lack of using RO for the first few months. Now I know better.
What kind of lights are you using on your fuge? How long since you replaced the bulbs? I've read that as bulbs age, cyano can sometimes appear as a result.

PatMayo · 04/05/2006, 04:33 PM

I personally have a pc bulb that has a 7100 marked on the bulb. Mine is only 70 days old.

I do think that if you get hair algae and other types of algae in the main tank you do have some issues. They could be flow issues or not enough nutrient export etc.

But I also think there is a time where many people just get plain to anal about algae. I think most healthy tanks will at sometime or another get some form of algae in the tank. I get just a touch here and there every so often but I don't sweat it. I take it out and/or scrub it off the rock and then off I go.

I don't change my regime a lot because of it. I think more people mess up there tanks cause they are always tweaking, putting there hands in the tank, adding chemicals when they don't need to etc etc. I think if you have adequate flow, feed sparingly, (don't starve the critters) and let it be there would be many more successful tanks.

I will now disembark from my soapbox. Sorry for the diatribe.

Regards,

Pat

1SickReefer · 04/05/2006, 04:59 PM

I am glad to see this thread, I get cyano only in my fuge, display is algae free and looks great. Glad to see I am not the only one. I suck it out once a month when I do my water change.

My water parms are perfect,
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates - undetetable

My alk and calc are a little wacky, I am still getting used to dripping kalk via a dosing pump. but that should not affect cyano growth correct?

04/02/2006, 11:44 PM	#1
yoyoyoo123 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Arcadia Posts: 661	is it OK to have cyano in the refugium? I have some cyano growing on and around my chaeto and calpura pellata in the refugium. Is that okay? The light in the fuge is on 24/7 and I have no signs of cyano in the main tank.

04/03/2006, 02:13 AM	#4
cardgenius Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 527	get some more flow in there and it should clear up. You can also buy Chemi-Clean and it will get rid of it. But if you dont have enough water movement it will keep coming back. __________________ I'm no hero...never was. I'm just an old killer hired to do some wet work.

04/03/2006, 05:26 AM	#6
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	My system is pretty new, just 3 months old, and I have cyano in my refugium as well. Had a little of it in my display, but that cleared up completely. Not sure if the others are truly reading the question here as higher flow is usually desired in the display to help with cyano, but most people don't want high flow in their refugium. Will tag along... __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

04/03/2006, 06:19 AM	#8
myakkareef Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Bradenton, Fl Posts: 1,570	My Fuge is about 10 years old, and differnet algaes come and go from it. But my display tank stays algae free, so this is why I like fuge. Atleast it stays down there and not in the display... __________________ Scotty In My Spaceship, I am the Captain.. Current Tank Info: 90 Gal AGA Corner Bowfront, Aquactinics 36" Tx5 T5 Setup, PCI 1/6th Hp Chiller, Euro-Reef CS6-1, 2xLG 4MDQX-SC, All Plumbing Outside

04/04/2006, 08:01 AM	#13
PatMayo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,843	fishypets, I disagree. Most refugiums and sumps will get cyno in that area but zero in the main tank. It is not necessarily a sign of "bad" water. The consensus has been from many "pretty good" aquarist's that it is not significant in any way unless you have it in your main display tank. I have some cyno in my sump but zero in the main tank and my water quality is quite healty thank you. Red, green and purple coralline growth everywhere and crystal clear water. Alk 3.10, calcium 430, ph 8.15, mag 1350 with zero nitrates to boot. At least this has been my experience. Some folks will siphon out the cyno in the sump/fuge just because they don't like the look of it but it harms nothing. It's an individual thing I suppose. Regards, Pat __________________ 90 AGA Megaflow (Setup 1-24-06) 120 Lbs. Liverock EuroReef RS 100 Skimmer 2 X 150 MH 2 X 96 watt PC Actinic 2 Clarki Clowns (31 months old) 1 Niger Trigger (Owned 6 months) 2 Tunze 6055 PH Current Tank Info: 90 AGA Megaflow To Be Mixed Reef

04/02/2006, 11:56 PM	#2
fish are life Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: tucson AZ Posts: 171	ehy atleast u dont have it is ur main tank lik me. it isnt bad but it is still there

04/03/2006, 01:41 AM	#3
yoyoyoo123 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Arcadia Posts: 661	should I try to take it out? or should I let it grow rampant?

04/03/2006, 05:06 AM	#5
fishypets Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 1,411	Check you H20 quality. That stuff appears when something is wrong. More flow would help break it up but something else is the cause.

04/03/2006, 05:29 AM	#7
fishypets Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 1,411	Newer systems will for the most part go through a "cycle" and have a cyano outbreak that clears up after a month or so.

04/04/2006, 12:13 AM	#9
yoyoyoo123 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Arcadia Posts: 661	well, I just sucked out all of the cyano, it was buggin me. I did up the flow slightly, so hopefully it won't come back. I still have tiny patches of hair algae in the main tank, im hoping it disappears soon.

04/04/2006, 12:19 AM	#10
ste6168 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,066	imstead of upping the flow through the whole sump, just put a small PH in the refuge to up the flow...

04/04/2006, 08:47 AM	#14
fishypets Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 1,411	Pat, You may be right but with hair alge in the display tank I'd bet there is a quality problem. Yoyo, What is your RO/DI source? You might want to check that if everything else is in line.

04/04/2006, 10:02 AM	#16
MCary Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hardin, Montana Posts: 3,142	Let the cyano grow and form a slimy crust, then siphon or scoop it out. Nutirent export. After a while it will go. Like you said, its a new system.

04/04/2006, 10:12 AM	#17
hawaiianwargod Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 11 54' N, 121 55' E Posts: 1,836	PatMayo, I agree with you 100%. As long as it stay in the fuge it will be ok. Harvesting macro algae once a month is part of my regimen and some cyano appears in my fuge but very minimal. I tested my water and it is in in excellent parameters. __________________ "To be a successful reefer, one must master the art of mimicry" ~Hawaiianwargod~ [E] levated [L] evel [O] f [S] weetness Current Tank Info: 210+ - "G" Elos 160XL [~]

04/04/2006, 10:20 PM	#18
suasponte2/75 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Bay Area (Fremont, CA) Posts: 514	I've had cyano, hair, macro ... you name it grow in my fuge. It's butt ugly down there (it is a sump!) but my display has great coralline growth and no nuisance algae to speak of, crystal clear waters . I think it's better to have it out compete your display tank for nutrients. I also periodically scrape all the crude out, including the macro (chaeto) and toss it. Been doing it for over 4-5 years without any problems. JMO, Minh

04/04/2006, 11:20 PM	#19
TWallace Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,464	I had cyano in my fuge as well. It choked out my chaeto and killed almost all of it off. I used chemi clean to get rid of it but had to order more chaeto. For that reason, I'd look into getting rid of it. I never had cyano growing in my display during that.

04/05/2006, 12:03 AM	#20
cfarrow2 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 626	I can't imagine that cyano wouldn't spread from the fuge to the display; that stuff is so stubborn. I use chemi-clean and it works like a charm on cyano. My problem is probably too much phosphates due to the lack of using RO for the first few months. Now I know better. What kind of lights are you using on your fuge? How long since you replaced the bulbs? I've read that as bulbs age, cyano can sometimes appear as a result. __________________ Happiness is contagious. What are you spreading? Current Tank Info: 55 gal. 216 W. T5s. Wet/dry sump w/ Mag 5 return. Softies, 3 fish, shrimp, urchin. HA factory for the time being.

04/05/2006, 04:33 PM	#21
PatMayo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,843	I personally have a pc bulb that has a 7100 marked on the bulb. Mine is only 70 days old. I do think that if you get hair algae and other types of algae in the main tank you do have some issues. They could be flow issues or not enough nutrient export etc. But I also think there is a time where many people just get plain to anal about algae. I think most healthy tanks will at sometime or another get some form of algae in the tank. I get just a touch here and there every so often but I don't sweat it. I take it out and/or scrub it off the rock and then off I go. I don't change my regime a lot because of it. I think more people mess up there tanks cause they are always tweaking, putting there hands in the tank, adding chemicals when they don't need to etc etc. I think if you have adequate flow, feed sparingly, (don't starve the critters) and let it be there would be many more successful tanks. I will now disembark from my soapbox. Sorry for the diatribe. Regards, Pat __________________ 90 AGA Megaflow (Setup 1-24-06) 120 Lbs. Liverock EuroReef RS 100 Skimmer 2 X 150 MH 2 X 96 watt PC Actinic 2 Clarki Clowns (31 months old) 1 Niger Trigger (Owned 6 months) 2 Tunze 6055 PH Current Tank Info: 90 AGA Megaflow To Be Mixed Reef

04/05/2006, 04:59 PM	#22
1SickReefer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Perryville, MD Posts: 1,048	I am glad to see this thread, I get cyano only in my fuge, display is algae free and looks great. Glad to see I am not the only one. I suck it out once a month when I do my water change. My water parms are perfect, Ammonia 0 Nitrites 0 Nitrates - undetetable My alk and calc are a little wacky, I am still getting used to dripping kalk via a dosing pump. but that should not affect cyano growth correct?