Cyano Algae

The Saltwater Kid · 07/17/2006, 05:12 PM

I think I might have some cyano algae, it's purplish red in color and on my sandbed but nowhere else. What can I do?

Waxxiemann · 07/17/2006, 05:28 PM

You can do the following but your tank inhabitants may not agre with it. I'll list them in terms of impact:

1. buy some mexican turbo snails, they love the stuff. Make sure you get the right ones. You'd only need 1 or 2.

2. siphon out as much as you can but be careful as it likes to dissolve and spread really quickly (making the water red).

3. Run the tank in total darkness for 2 weeks. (high impact)

4. Medicate (last resort).

I did the top 3 things when I had an outbreak in my refugium and now it is completly gone. I lost a lot f my macro algea because it was so badly intertwined. You can also try and beef up the flow to prevent further outbreak. Make sure your levels are in check (especially phospahtes). Make sure your RO water is low PPM.

I hope this helps you. The peeps on RC are AWSOME for help as well. If you do a search for CYANO there is an awesome topic about it. I can't remember what forum it's in though (it could be this one).

Good luck.

The Saltwater Kid · 07/17/2006, 06:54 PM

my flow is good. I am due for a water change so maybe that will help. I have two mexican turbo grazers already. Any more ideas?

LobsterOfJustice · 07/17/2006, 07:26 PM

1. Good flow to keep things off the sand
2. Run phosphate removal media such as phosban
3. Use RODI water
4. Rinse all frozen food cubes before feeding
5. Keep the sand stirred with a cucumber, conch and/or gobies

Kaiser Tang · 07/17/2006, 07:40 PM

You don't have to wait until the last resort to medicate. You don need to increase flow, siphon off as much as possible and then use Chemi-Clean. Reef safe. I have used it many times before without any problems.

07/17/2006, 05:12 PM	#1
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	Cyano Algae I think I might have some cyano algae, it's purplish red in color and on my sandbed but nowhere else. What can I do? __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

07/17/2006, 05:28 PM	#2
Waxxiemann Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 2,364	You can do the following but your tank inhabitants may not agre with it. I'll list them in terms of impact: 1. buy some mexican turbo snails, they love the stuff. Make sure you get the right ones. You'd only need 1 or 2. 2. siphon out as much as you can but be careful as it likes to dissolve and spread really quickly (making the water red). 3. Run the tank in total darkness for 2 weeks. (high impact) 4. Medicate (last resort). I did the top 3 things when I had an outbreak in my refugium and now it is completly gone. I lost a lot f my macro algea because it was so badly intertwined. You can also try and beef up the flow to prevent further outbreak. Make sure your levels are in check (especially phospahtes). Make sure your RO water is low PPM. I hope this helps you. The peeps on RC are AWSOME for help as well. If you do a search for CYANO there is an awesome topic about it. I can't remember what forum it's in though (it could be this one). Good luck. __________________ "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein

07/17/2006, 06:54 PM	#3
The Saltwater Kid Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barre, VT Posts: 2,586	my flow is good. I am due for a water change so maybe that will help. I have two mexican turbo grazers already. Any more ideas? __________________ Oceanic Biocube 14g Nano Tank w/middle chamber refugium mod 2 Ecoxotic Power Pro LED Modules (1 - 12K/Royal Blue combo, 1 - Royal Blue) MaxiJet 900 return, VorTech MP10 circulation Livestock: Higher End Z's & P's, few mushrooms, Aussie Duncan, Maxi Mini Carpet Anemone

07/17/2006, 07:26 PM	#4
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	1. Good flow to keep things off the sand 2. Run phosphate removal media such as phosban 3. Use RODI water 4. Rinse all frozen food cubes before feeding 5. Keep the sand stirred with a cucumber, conch and/or gobies __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

07/17/2006, 07:40 PM	#5
Kaiser Tang Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 1,314	You don't have to wait until the last resort to medicate. You don need to increase flow, siphon off as much as possible and then use Chemi-Clean. Reef safe. I have used it many times before without any problems. __________________ "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: Marineland 150 XH Reef w/ 55 AGA Sump, Oceans Motions Super Squirt, Ecotech Marine Vortech, Current Prime 1/3 hp Chiller, 200 lbs. LR, 175 lbs. LS, 800 watts PFO MH and 440 watts IceCap VHO. Softies, LPS, and Clams!