Calothrix

NexDog · 11/23/2009, 06:46 AM

I think I have a Calothrix outbreak in my tank. Did some Googling and found an ID resource and Calothrix is the closest. I've been dosing VSV but not up to the level where it's breaking down PO4 and NO3. Nitrates aren't that high (maybe 5) but PO4 was reading 1. I've been dosing Phosphate Control but it knocks it down only to reappear a few months later.

Does anything eat this stuff? I don't have much of a cleanup crew as I haven't bought any new crabs or snails in many years.

If I brush it off with a toothbrush will it spead like mad?

HighlandReefer · 11/23/2009, 03:42 PM

Cyanobacteria are best controlled by limiting phosphate and removing the organic matter out of your tank including the cyano itself.

I would run GFO and replace it frequently with the high level of phosphate you have.

NexDog · 04/03/2010, 06:10 PM

This seemed to work itself out. Around mid-February it just died off so I think it was a cycle due to the VSV dosing. I carried on dosing throughout. Have a few spots here and there but they brush easily. So if anyone else gets Cyano blooms with Vodka just dose through it and it will subside once the Vodka or VSV builds up enough bacteria.

Plantbrain · 04/03/2010, 09:42 PM

If you use an ATS or a fuges, then the PO4 rarely builds up since they remove both NO3/NH4 and PO4.

Some dose NO3 as Ca(NO3)2 or KNO3 etc........to drive the PO4 back down if the NO3 drops much below 5ppm.

If the plants, algae are strongly limited by N, then the PO4 will rise.........since N is more limiting than P.......

Regards,
Tom Barr

11/23/2009, 06:46 AM	#1
NexDog Snail Killer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kyushu, Japan Posts: 4,804	Calothrix I think I have a Calothrix outbreak in my tank. Did some Googling and found an ID resource and Calothrix is the closest. I've been dosing VSV but not up to the level where it's breaking down PO4 and NO3. Nitrates aren't that high (maybe 5) but PO4 was reading 1. I've been dosing Phosphate Control but it knocks it down only to reappear a few months later. Does anything eat this stuff? I don't have much of a cleanup crew as I haven't bought any new crabs or snails in many years. If I brush it off with a toothbrush will it spead like mad? __________________ Laurence Flynn 340g In-Wall Envision Tank and 150g Sump. Current Tank Info: Deltec 902, PFO hood with 3x400w Radium 20k and 4x96w PC's. Hammerhead closed loop - and 2 x Tunze 6105 (and Vortech still sucks).

11/23/2009, 03:42 PM	#2
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	Cyanobacteria are best controlled by limiting phosphate and removing the organic matter out of your tank including the cyano itself. I would run GFO and replace it frequently with the high level of phosphate you have. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

04/03/2010, 06:10 PM	#3
NexDog Snail Killer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kyushu, Japan Posts: 4,804	This seemed to work itself out. Around mid-February it just died off so I think it was a cycle due to the VSV dosing. I carried on dosing throughout. Have a few spots here and there but they brush easily. So if anyone else gets Cyano blooms with Vodka just dose through it and it will subside once the Vodka or VSV builds up enough bacteria. __________________ Laurence Flynn 340g In-Wall Envision Tank and 150g Sump. Current Tank Info: Deltec 902, PFO hood with 3x400w Radium 20k and 4x96w PC's. Hammerhead closed loop - and 2 x Tunze 6105 (and Vortech still sucks).

04/03/2010, 09:42 PM	#4
Plantbrain Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: The swamp Posts: 997	If you use an ATS or a fuges, then the PO4 rarely builds up since they remove both NO3/NH4 and PO4. Some dose NO3 as Ca(NO3)2 or KNO3 etc........to drive the PO4 back down if the NO3 drops much below 5ppm. If the plants, algae are strongly limited by N, then the PO4 will rise.........since N is more limiting than P....... Regards, Tom Barr