Help me with my flow! Cyano spots

[Saltwaternooby]

Ok i have a 150g 32x 48x 24 Penninsula style, it looks like this.


I am having issues with cyano(normal parameters and i do use Ro/di 0tds),in some spots that seem to have decent flow but not random i guess. My lights run 6hrs per day but have since cut to 4. So my questions are how would you put the powerheads?

I have 4 k4's and a mp40, If i could get away with not having one on the front of the tank it would be the best. I would love a second mp40 but not right now. I was thinking of putting the mp40 on the back right and using 3 of the k4s on the left pointed in different directions?

Most of the cyano is on the sand and rocks in the picture, mainly the front half of the tank. The back doesnt have very much.

[kenith]

Good luck on the cyano battle. You say normal parameters, but what are the po4 and no3 readings? If they read 0, the cyano uptake of nutrients is faster than test kits can read. If readings are higher than 0, get those nutrients down. I know it doesn't answer your questions, but the info may help

[Saltwaternooby]

Nitrate are 0 by elos and API, same with po4. That's what I was thinking, but I don't have a high bbioload and have a monster Skimmer. Aquaeuro 400

[RonMidtownStomp]

That's really weird. It seems pretty good to me.

[Saltwaternooby]

The pumps or cyano?

[TheFishTeen]

I don't think flow is the problem here. Something is feeding the Cyanobacteria, and we need to find out what.

Give us a quick run down of what you have for filtration, as well as any media or trace elements you implement.

[Saltwaternooby]

From the overflow it goes to 2 filter socks changed weekly. Then the Skimmer, gfo reactor, and refugium. I add some of the brightwell stuff(vit c and amino) I feed frozen 1 1/2 cubes daily and pellets every other. Nori maybe once a week. That's it.

[RonMidtownStomp]

I meant pump positioning. Is it still true that pellets are loaded in phosphate? Are you rinsing the cubes? A lot of people consider socks more harmful than beneficial. What is in your refugium?

[Saltwaternooby]

Maybe true about the pellets. I do rinse the cubes although that link Brian posted about amounts of phosphates in fish food rinsing did very little to the amount in the cubes. I use the socks because when I didn't I got loads of stuff in the sump.

I have chaeto, flame algae and 4 larger mangroves in the fuge. I did recently add a Potters wrasse that is mia but my last one I didn't see for weeks either when first added.

[RonMidtownStomp]

Is there enough flow in the fuge that it is a nutrient sink rather than a source?

I'm not sure on the theory about socks, but it seems to me like instead of collecting in the sump it's now collecting and rotting in the socks.

[mchase31]

i had a bad outbreak once and cut my feedings back to once a week. there should be plenty of stuff for your fish to feed on within the rock. The more you feed the more fish go poo. poo is loaded w p04.

[mchase31]

also watch to make sure your fish are eating all the food at feeding time. leftovers could be a source.

[Saltwaternooby]

I have a maxijet 1200 feeding it and a small Rio inside the fuge. Its only 10g so I feel like there is enough I guess I could go up a size of the pump in the fuge.

Well I change the socks regularly where as the sump didn't get sucked out as often.

[silentscream]

Running any carbon?
Carbon dosing?
How often is your GFO changed?

It's tough to tell on my computer screen, but is the cyano on the rocks, or just in the sand? I have been battling cyano for a while now, and I am slowly winning. I am using filter socks, but change them every 2-3 days. Otherwise, like Ron says, I'd be nervous of trapped "goodies" rotting in there.

[Saltwaternooby]

No carbon, no dosing. I just started using Gfo 2 months ago and its changed every month.

It's on the rocks and sand.

[silentscream]

Carbon, especially in a reactor, goes a long way with removing organic waste. I've bumped up my schedule of changing GFO and Carbon to every 3 weeks. Brian from our club changes it every week (carbon only)! As I'm sure you know, controlling cyano will not happen fast. Fight the desire to try new stuff if you don't see results, adopt a slightly aggressive maintenance plan, and stick to it, you'll beat it in time.

[dirtyBit]

If you have cyano you have PO4 even if very little. Maybe try changing out GFO more often (every week). Just don't throw it out because you can always regenerate it.

[TheFishTeen]

Are you rinsing out the phosphate media before putting it in the reactor?

[Saltwaternooby]

Maybe I will switch to 2 weeks for changing the gfo. I rinse it with new saltwater till it runs clear. I was doing carbon and gfo in the same reactor but it wasnt easy when changing the carbon. I will get a second reactor for carbon.

[mtcoins123]

I HAVE STRUGLED WITH CYANO ON OCCASION I FOUND A DARK DARK TENT AND A 3+ DAY black out with zero feeding for 6 or 7 days does a real good job killing it but dont forget the fuge lights when you go dark everything needs to be in total dark for at least three days

IMO

[Saltwaternooby]

I have a whole lot of sps. Wont that make them angry.

[Saltwaternooby]

Bump.

I am still having issues with cyano, i have cut my lights to 4hrs per day. I am changing the GFO every 3 weeks and 20g water changes weekly with siphoning the cyano out.

I bought a Hanna 713 not the LR one and it reads 0.00 for phosphates. I have had low alk for a couple weeks due to a test kit reading high.

My chaeto doesnt grow, but my dragons breath algae, mangroves, and ocdotes do. The fuge lights are 2 65w over a 10g(small for the tank i know).

I cannot figure this out, it is driving me batty. I have even started rotating the rocks out to "cook" them in the garage.

I got my water report from the city and there is chlorine in my water source, more than the surrounding towns, would that do it? I am going to call and ask if they use Chloramine on Monday, not stated in the report.

Any help is appreciated.

[trhaynes]

How much water are you flowing from tank to sump?

[Saltwaternooby]

At least 800gph with head loss