how to get rid of this cyanobacteria?

PaxRoma · 08/01/2009, 12:13 PM

I have this cyano in the tank and it seems to like very strong flow. I start notice it about 2 months ago. It grows directly in front of a powerhead. So far it has not invade any corals. My parameters:
Nitrate: <0.1ppm
phosphate: undetected
alk: ~11-12 dkh
ca: 410ppm

tested with seachem test kits.

I have 2 types of caulerpa in the fuge below the tank on 24/7 light but they seems to barely survive after 1 year in the tank (tank is 1 year old).

Gamepro_inc · 08/01/2009, 12:38 PM

Try to adjust your light cycle, turn lights off for an hour in the middle of the afternoon for a week then after that back on. then off at 3pm for an hour then back on. messing with the normal photo period helped my tank.

jbird69 · 08/01/2009, 12:42 PM

That is NOT cyano.

PaxRoma · 08/01/2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jbird69
That is NOT cyano.

what do you suggest it is?

romsoccer12 · 08/01/2009, 01:43 PM

best way to fight cyano, more flow, less light time, less feading, remove as much as possible with water changes. if that doesnt work, cyano remover

Reef Bass · 08/01/2009, 02:06 PM

Looks like a hairy algae to me...

zachslow · 08/01/2009, 02:21 PM

that's not cyno...

Tadashi · 08/01/2009, 02:59 PM

cyano is a slimey brown ooze with bubbles. That looks like a hair algae with a little cyano also. While there are many treatments to the sympton I would look at the root cause. I think the nutrient level may be the culprit.

Nutrients in must equal nutrients out. Light, food, heat, etc are all nutrients. You must have a way to export them out - animal growth, skimmer, mechanical filter, bacteria (convert to gases), manual harvesting, water changes, etc.

ang_99 · 08/01/2009, 03:18 PM

Maybe turn off your lights for 3 days and see what happens.

People have reported good things when they gave this a try.

I never did it but its sounds good.

gaucho30 · 08/01/2009, 03:20 PM

I had a cyano problem for a while and what worked for me was what has been said above, a coupe days lights off, improved flow, I skimmed wet for a while, and I cut down feeding to every other day. Also I added a couple hermits as I think they do a good job of getting detritus that others cant get. Also keep in mind that when you test your phosphates and nitrates might not register all that high, and that is because the algae and cyano are using up these nutrients.

PaxRoma · 08/01/2009, 03:40 PM

you're right. I think there are 2 different types of 'thing' growing next to each other. Although now I am confused if they are cyano or algae.
I took a sample of each here

Tadashi · 08/01/2009, 04:06 PM

looks like green stuff is hair algae and the red/brown stuff is cyano.

08/01/2009, 12:13 PM	#1
PaxRoma Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: H town, TX Posts: 421	how to get rid of this cyanobacteria? I have this cyano in the tank and it seems to like very strong flow. I start notice it about 2 months ago. It grows directly in front of a powerhead. So far it has not invade any corals. My parameters: Nitrate: <0.1ppm phosphate: undetected alk: ~11-12 dkh ca: 410ppm tested with seachem test kits. I have 2 types of caulerpa in the fuge below the tank on 24/7 light but they seems to barely survive after 1 year in the tank (tank is 1 year old).

08/01/2009, 12:38 PM	#2
Gamepro_inc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 425	Try to adjust your light cycle, turn lights off for an hour in the middle of the afternoon for a week then after that back on. then off at 3pm for an hour then back on. messing with the normal photo period helped my tank. __________________ -Paul Current Tank Info: 65g rimless, and 34g starfire rimless Solana

08/01/2009, 12:42 PM	#3
jbird69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The beautiful State of Jefferson Posts: 2,751	That is NOT cyano. __________________ Broke Back Mountain is not a movie, its the pile of dead ninjas in Chuck Norris' back yard

08/01/2009, 01:43 PM	#5
romsoccer12 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: ohio Posts: 2,625	best way to fight cyano, more flow, less light time, less feading, remove as much as possible with water changes. if that doesnt work, cyano remover __________________ Colin R Current Tank Info: 3rd tank working fine!(29gal oceanic biocube) 5-6months old

08/01/2009, 02:06 PM	#6
Reef Bass colors and textures Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Petaluma CA Posts: 6,301	Looks like a hairy algae to me... __________________ The human desires for instant gratification and immediate problem resolution cannot be satisfied with this hobby. Former president and co-president of the Wine Country Reefers. Current Tank Info: 60 gallons of Scleractinia and Zoanthidae lit w/ LEDs

08/01/2009, 02:21 PM	#7
zachslow Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: san francisco, ca Posts: 153	that's not cyno...

08/01/2009, 02:59 PM	#8
Tadashi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Ft. Hood, TX, USA Posts: 2,252	cyano is a slimey brown ooze with bubbles. That looks like a hair algae with a little cyano also. While there are many treatments to the sympton I would look at the root cause. I think the nutrient level may be the culprit. Nutrients in must equal nutrients out. Light, food, heat, etc are all nutrients. You must have a way to export them out - animal growth, skimmer, mechanical filter, bacteria (convert to gases), manual harvesting, water changes, etc. __________________ Honey, put down the bleach and step away from the tank. I promise we will spend more quality time together. Current Tank Info: 14-gal Oceanic BioCube (see homepage link for current status)

08/01/2009, 03:18 PM	#9
ang_99 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 100	Maybe turn off your lights for 3 days and see what happens. People have reported good things when they gave this a try. I never did it but its sounds good.

08/01/2009, 03:20 PM	#10
gaucho30 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 204	I had a cyano problem for a while and what worked for me was what has been said above, a coupe days lights off, improved flow, I skimmed wet for a while, and I cut down feeding to every other day. Also I added a couple hermits as I think they do a good job of getting detritus that others cant get. Also keep in mind that when you test your phosphates and nitrates might not register all that high, and that is because the algae and cyano are using up these nutrients. __________________ Click the house for my 120 build. Current Tank Info: 120g, 40g sump, 2x150W MH, ASM G3, MP40W

08/01/2009, 03:40 PM	#11
PaxRoma Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: H town, TX Posts: 421	you're right. I think there are 2 different types of 'thing' growing next to each other. Although now I am confused if they are cyano or algae. I took a sample of each here

08/01/2009, 04:06 PM	#12
Tadashi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Ft. Hood, TX, USA Posts: 2,252	looks like green stuff is hair algae and the red/brown stuff is cyano. __________________ Honey, put down the bleach and step away from the tank. I promise we will spend more quality time together. Current Tank Info: 14-gal Oceanic BioCube (see homepage link for current status)