Cyano

[CoMan]

Hi all Im fighting Cyano bacteria, but am getting my but kicked....any advise please would really help

Cheers guys

 

[ben1987]

how and what do you feed your tank? please tell me your routine

what are you doing to remove phosphates? remover? cheato?

Whats your tank dimensions? what lighting? what powerheads and where are they?

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Generally Cyano = Phosphates are too high.

I have been having an ongoing fight with Cyano since transferring to the 100g (as I have had constant phosphate issues).

Best course of action is to remove the phosphates and then it will go away:
* Use a good brand phosphate remover and replace often. Ideally in a phosphate reactor if using GFO based remover
* Use macro algae or an algae scrubber to reduce phosphates/nitrates.
* Decrease feeding amounts (if possible). Make sure frozen food is thoroughly washed and defrosted before putting it in the tank.
* Make sure you are using a good source of RO water for water changes and top ups (RO water with as close to zero TDS as you can get).
* Make sure you do regular water changes.
* Make sure you have a good amount of water flow in the tank. Cyano cant grow as fast in high flow areas and higher flow rates will stop debris building up which rots down and causes phosphates (though you need mechanical filtration to remove crud from the water column).

I'm planning to start using liquid phosphate remover to knock my phosphate levels down. Its apparently good stuff but has to be used extremely carefully.

If you have higher nitrates as well vodka dosing can help too. However this has its dangers too so read up on it a LOT before you decide to go this route.

 

[CoMan]

how and what do you feed your tank? please tell me your routine

what are you doing to remove phosphates? remover? cheato?

Whats your tank dimensions? what lighting? what powerheads and where are they?

I feed New era flake small amounts three times a day but have just changed to once a day and I feed as much as they can eat in about 1 min.

I use rowaphos...I have recently changed it about two weeks ago...which was about the same time the cyano started?

I have moved the rocks to increase flow in dead areas and have moved the powerhead (a K2) lower and pointed so there is more movement on the sand. Its helped but not killed it off.

I have 125litre tl-550

 

[CoMan]

Generally Cyano = Phosphates are too high.

I have been having an ongoing fight with Cyano since transferring to the 100g (as I have had constant phosphate issues).

Best course of action is to remove the phosphates and then it will go away:
* Use a good brand phosphate remover and replace often. Ideally in a phosphate reactor if using GFO based remover I use rowaphos and have recently changed it
* Use macro algae or an algae scrubber to reduce phosphates/nitrates. whats this? how does it work
* Decrease feeding amounts (if possible). Make sure frozen food is thoroughly washed and defrosted before putting it in the tank. I use new era flake, I think I was over doing it with three times a day so will cut back to once a day
* Make sure you are using a good source of RO water for water changes and top ups (RO water with as close to zero TDS as you can get). Im thinking of getting my own ro unit, the ro water I buy has a TDS of 20? is that too high
* Make sure you do regular water changes. Every weekend I do 20% religiously
* Make sure you have a good amount of water flow in the tank. Cyano cant grow as fast in high flow areas and higher flow rates will stop debris building up which rots down and causes phosphates (though you need mechanical filtration to remove crud from the water column). is this carbon? If so I have that and change it every month

I'm planning to start using liquid phosphate remover to knock my phosphate levels down. Its apparently good stuff but has to be used extremely carefully.

If you have higher nitrates as well vodka dosing can help too. However this has its dangers too so read up on it a LOT before you decide to go this route.

 

[-Nemo-]

TDS should be 0... that's why you want to use RO water, sounds like they need their membranes changed. I'd find a different source of RO.

 

[CoMan]

I see.

Im going to have to buy a unit then....

I have been doing some reading on the Macro Algae. Can I but it in the main tank as I dont have a sump system.

 

[-Nemo-]

You certainly can although you may need to put it in something like a mesh bag or something may eat it

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Yeah you can put macro algae in the display tank. If you get Cheato then a mesh bag is ideal as it doesn't anchor to anything and will just end up wrapped around your powerhead overwise.

The mechanical filtration could just be a filter with some foam and filter wool in.

Have you got a phosphate test kit?

 

[CoMan]

Yeah you can put macro algae in the display tank. If you get Cheato then a mesh bag is ideal as it doesn't anchor to anything and will just end up wrapped around your powerhead overwise.

The mechanical filtration could just be a filter with some foam and filter wool in.

Have you got a phosphate test kit?

Yeah I got a phosphate test kit but its so hard to read as the colour for 0 is not much different from the colour for 0.5

You certainly can although you may need to put it in something like a mesh bag or something may eat it

Is it expensive to buy?