can some one help me ID this and help? puzzled

some1fishy · 07/28/2007, 03:44 PM

hey all,

have an intersting issue going on in my tank. I seem to be having an out break of cyano in my tank but not sure if this is exactly it. I have my LFS stumped as well. All of my levels are normal, PH, nitrates, phospahtes, calcium, everything.. normal. Water flow is 15x turn over per hour, lighting is 8.5 hours a day.. tank is mature (over 1+ years) and we cant seem to figure it out. Only use RO/DI water so we are stummped.. below are some pictures for your reference to aid in the ID'ing and any solutions/suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

thank you

avp · 07/28/2007, 03:52 PM

what type of lights are you running and how old are the bulbs?

-avp

some1fishy · 07/28/2007, 03:59 PM

twin T-5's - replaced a month ago

some1fishy · 07/28/2007, 04:00 PM

with twin T-5 Actinics

EdKruzel · 07/28/2007, 04:04 PM

Although you have 15x's the turnover is it alternating current throughout the entire rock? Running fixed pumps 24/7 creates a stream like effect and develops numerous deadspots which trap detritus.

What types of food do you feed, how much and how often?
Do you have an adequate skimmer for your system?
What type of clean up crew do you have for the sand? Cucumbers, Nassarius snail, Queen Conch, and serpent stars will help keep the top layer clean.

As to the test, many hobbyists are unaware that there are two types of phosphate, and one can only (cost effective) be tested for in a lab.

rbtwo4 · 07/28/2007, 04:41 PM

looks like red slime

ReefJunkieOK · 07/28/2007, 05:17 PM

Agreed.

Grins · 07/28/2007, 05:32 PM

cyanobacteria I think

Jojoyojimbi · 07/29/2007, 05:19 AM

no chance it's coraline build up on your sand?

some1fishy · 07/29/2007, 08:14 PM

hey all,

just to answer your inquiries..

I do have 15x cross current flow (behind, up & down flow), clean up crew consistes of red serpent star, various snails ( 3 nasarius, 2 cerinth and 2 turbo), 20 red and blue legs, purple lobster, CBS, and red serpent star.

As for the skimmer, I run an aqua c remora and a refugium (10 gal).

As for food, every other day (flake and pellate).

I am still stumped. My lfs couldnt figure it out either. As for the question of corraline on the sand bed.. could be; but didnt look like it to me.

Any thoughts or treatments besides the obvious (lights, feeding, levels and waterflow) would be appreciated. thank u.

Mike P.

EdKruzel · 07/29/2007, 09:41 PM

Hermits are scavengers that will often do more harm than good; as they do eat leftovers they also eat worms and pods that do more to reduce and breakdown detritus than almost anything else.

Another problem is what you feed; flakes and pellets are fine for the occasional treat, but because it's a processed dry food it is filled with fillers and binders that will contribute to phosphate.

To combat the cyno, you'll need to change the diet and ensure you feed in proper levels, run a bag of phosphate remover (in good water flow) and conduct a series of small water changes vacuuming the top layer of the sand bed (removing the cyno)(10% weekly) until the problem is resolved.

fishyvet · 07/29/2007, 09:51 PM

I had a confusing case of cyano lately myself and couldn't find a reason for it. I switched form Tropic Marin pro to Oceanic and the cyano decreased after the first water change and was gone after the second (1 mo after switching salt). Take it for what its worth. I had good flow, good parameters, good CUC, didn't overfeed, lots of phosphoban, lights were good, couldn't find a reason, and now its gone

07/28/2007, 03:44 PM	#1
some1fishy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 26	can some one help me ID this and help? puzzled hey all, have an intersting issue going on in my tank. I seem to be having an out break of cyano in my tank but not sure if this is exactly it. I have my LFS stumped as well. All of my levels are normal, PH, nitrates, phospahtes, calcium, everything.. normal. Water flow is 15x turn over per hour, lighting is 8.5 hours a day.. tank is mature (over 1+ years) and we cant seem to figure it out. Only use RO/DI water so we are stummped.. below are some pictures for your reference to aid in the ID'ing and any solutions/suggestions would be greatly appreciated... thank you

07/28/2007, 04:04 PM	#5
EdKruzel Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 7,384	Although you have 15x's the turnover is it alternating current throughout the entire rock? Running fixed pumps 24/7 creates a stream like effect and develops numerous deadspots which trap detritus. What types of food do you feed, how much and how often? Do you have an adequate skimmer for your system? What type of clean up crew do you have for the sand? Cucumbers, Nassarius snail, Queen Conch, and serpent stars will help keep the top layer clean. As to the test, many hobbyists are unaware that there are two types of phosphate, and one can only (cost effective) be tested for in a lab. __________________ When you find yourself in "Deep Water" it's best to keep your mouth shut! Current Tank Info: 65RR Cube Mixed Reef

07/28/2007, 04:41 PM	#6
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	looks like red slime __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10

07/28/2007, 05:17 PM	#7
ReefJunkieOK Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Catoosa, Ok Posts: 367	Agreed. __________________ John Current Tank Info: 120 gallon SPS dominated reef. 2x250watt XM 10K MH with 4x110 VHO actinic. 5000g koi pond.

07/28/2007, 05:32 PM	#8
Grins Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 735	cyanobacteria I think __________________ R.A.S.O.C. : Reef Aquarium Society of Charlotte Current Tank Info: 55g mixed reef

07/28/2007, 03:52 PM	#2
avp Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mississippi Posts: 452	what type of lights are you running and how old are the bulbs? -avp

07/28/2007, 03:59 PM	#3
some1fishy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 26	twin T-5's - replaced a month ago

07/28/2007, 04:00 PM	#4
some1fishy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 26	with twin T-5 Actinics

07/29/2007, 05:19 AM	#9
Jojoyojimbi Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Boynton Beach Posts: 597	no chance it's coraline build up on your sand? __________________ My tank was electrocuted when the lights fell in, I'm only keeping Freshwater now Current Tank Info: Electrocuted my saltwater when lights broke, only fresh now

07/29/2007, 08:14 PM	#10
some1fishy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 26	hey all, just to answer your inquiries.. I do have 15x cross current flow (behind, up & down flow), clean up crew consistes of red serpent star, various snails ( 3 nasarius, 2 cerinth and 2 turbo), 20 red and blue legs, purple lobster, CBS, and red serpent star. As for the skimmer, I run an aqua c remora and a refugium (10 gal). As for food, every other day (flake and pellate). I am still stumped. My lfs couldnt figure it out either. As for the question of corraline on the sand bed.. could be; but didnt look like it to me. Any thoughts or treatments besides the obvious (lights, feeding, levels and waterflow) would be appreciated. thank u. Mike P.

07/29/2007, 09:41 PM	#11
EdKruzel Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 7,384	Hermits are scavengers that will often do more harm than good; as they do eat leftovers they also eat worms and pods that do more to reduce and breakdown detritus than almost anything else. Another problem is what you feed; flakes and pellets are fine for the occasional treat, but because it's a processed dry food it is filled with fillers and binders that will contribute to phosphate. To combat the cyno, you'll need to change the diet and ensure you feed in proper levels, run a bag of phosphate remover (in good water flow) and conduct a series of small water changes vacuuming the top layer of the sand bed (removing the cyno)(10% weekly) until the problem is resolved. __________________ When you find yourself in "Deep Water" it's best to keep your mouth shut! Current Tank Info: 65RR Cube Mixed Reef

07/29/2007, 09:51 PM	#12
fishyvet Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gainesville FL Posts: 463	I had a confusing case of cyano lately myself and couldn't find a reason for it. I switched form Tropic Marin pro to Oceanic and the cyano decreased after the first water change and was gone after the second (1 mo after switching salt). Take it for what its worth. I had good flow, good parameters, good CUC, didn't overfeed, lots of phosphoban, lights were good, couldn't find a reason, and now its gone