Incredible Corals April 17, 2011 April 17, 2011 (edited) About a week ago I came home to red slime all over my sand bed on the right side of my tank. I didn't think much about it at the time and continued with my normal tank maintenance (10% weekly water changes, weekly skimmer cleaning and monthly carbon change). I also moved the Vortech on the side with the slime closer to the sand bed in hopes that a little more flow would take care of it. Today, I had cyanobacteria all over the sand bed on both sides and it's getting worse. I've only added a few frags and many a cup full of dry rock rubble to the fuge. The only thing I can think that did it was a missing one spot goby. He's been missing for a two weeks now. I couldn't find him on the floor or anywhere in the tank. The fish was very small 2" max and don't think a body would last long with the hermits and nails. I also hardly feed the fish (1 or 2 pinch of flake a day and nori every other day). What am I missing? Numbers: Calcium 420 DKH 9 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 0 Phosphate 0 Ammonia 0 PH 8.3 Salinity 1.025 Magnesium n/a (I hate my Red Sea test kit) RO/DI TDS 2 (always reads 2 even after I change filters) Edited April 17, 2011 by forrealb50
collegeman April 17, 2011 April 17, 2011 I had a cyanobacteria and could not get rid of it for nothing. I saw a thread on reefcentral about using Special Blend. I decided to give it a try since nothing else would work. I tried many water changes, reduced feedings, less light,and everything. After using it for around 2 months the cyanobacteria is almost gone. Special blend is a bacteria so i guess it was able out compete the algae for nutrients. I know everyone's situation is different so it is no guarantee that it will work for your tank. I know many will frown at my way of targeting the problem, but this was the only thing that worked.
Incredible Corals April 17, 2011 Author April 17, 2011 I'm guessing my phosphates are reading 0 because the cyano is eating/holding all of it. I just changed the carbon and will complete my normal 10% water change tomorrow to hopefully starve the cyano even further. I would also like to add some macro to the fuge. My cheato melted a long time ago and I never replaced it. Anyone around Manassas have to prune back their Cheato?
Incredible Corals April 17, 2011 Author April 17, 2011 I had a cyanobacteria and could not get rid of it for nothing. I saw a thread on reefcentral about using Special Blend. I decided to give it a try since nothing else would work. I tried many water changes, reduced feedings, less light,and everything. After using it for around 2 months the cyanobacteria is almost gone. Special blend is a bacteria so i guess it was able out compete the algae for nutrients. I know everyone's situation is different so it is no guarantee that it will work for your tank. I know many will frown at my way of targeting the problem, but this was the only thing that worked. I never added chemicals to the tank like that. I'll keep the in mind as a last resort. I also read about the special blend having negative effects on other bacteria growing in the tank and could cause a re-cycle.
collegeman April 17, 2011 April 17, 2011 (edited) I never added chemicals to the tank like that. I'll keep the in mind as a last resort. I also read about the special blend having negative effects on other bacteria growing in the tank and could cause a re-cycle. I will like to read the info on the negative effects. I hate using chemical in my tank also, but it was my last resort. You are probably right your phosphates reading 0 because of the algae consuming it. I know your feeling about cyanobacteria, it was a pain when i had it really bad. I did a lot of research and tried many things but this was the only thing that worked. I say try the SB or any chemical as the very last resort. I hate adding any chemical in my tank. It took me forever to start dosing a 2 part solution lol. Edited April 17, 2011 by collegeman
silverspringnano April 17, 2011 April 17, 2011 the best thing I ever learned in 25 years in this hobby is erythromycin for cyano. Dosed only one time, according to directions on the box (1 packet per 10-20 gal) and cyano is gone within 3 days. No deleterious effects to fish, inverts, corals or the bio filter living on live rock. I do a double water change on the 4th day (for me that's 20%) and then stay on schedule with regular water changes. There are actually good reasons for why it works and why its safe for reef systems but I'll leave that up to you and google to discover. Good luck.
Reefoholic April 17, 2011 April 17, 2011 Very interesting article on using the anti-biotic (erythromycin) to fight back cyanobacteri. fighting the bacteria
Sonnyg April 17, 2011 April 17, 2011 When was the last time you changed the cartridges in your RO/DI? I have chaeto. I am in Springfield
trockafella April 17, 2011 April 17, 2011 Its from the sand you added to your tank. Just the natural changews that are going to occur..
zygote2k April 17, 2011 April 17, 2011 I used to worry about cyano. I stopped worrying about it and it grows in some places where the current doesn't reach. I think it's a necessary 'critter' in our reefs. It consumes N03 and P04 and other elements. Anytime fresh live sand is added or live rock, there's a small outbreak, but nothing to worry about. When bio-pellets came out, I started using them in various ways and found that the cyano died back, but after a few months, it returned. About 18 years ago, I was maintaining a 380 reef and experienced a bad case of cyano. I tried every known method of eradication and finally used Chemi-clean. It took a quadruple dose, but it finally worked. It also wiped out all sorts of small critters that lived on the rock. Best ways to control it are: Strong current Stop overfeeding Putting lights on timers Physical removal Patience
steveoutlaw April 17, 2011 April 17, 2011 Steve - I've got some macro for you. I'll be home all day so feel free to give me a call or drop by.
Incredible Corals April 18, 2011 Author April 18, 2011 Its from the sand you added to your tank. Just the natural changews that are going to occur.. I think you're right and I'm going to test the silica in a minute. I used to worry about cyano. I stopped worrying about it and it grows in some places where the current doesn't reach. I think it's a necessary 'critter' in our reefs. It consumes N03 and P04 and other elements. Anytime fresh live sand is added or live rock, there's a small outbreak, but nothing to worry about. When bio-pellets came out, I started using them in various ways and found that the cyano died back, but after a few months, it returned. About 18 years ago, I was maintaining a 380 reef and experienced a bad case of cyano. I tried every known method of eradication and finally used Chemi-clean. It took a quadruple dose, but it finally worked. It also wiped out all sorts of small critters that lived on the rock. Best ways to control it are: Strong current Stop overfeeding Putting lights on timers Physical removal Patience I'll have to go with patience then. I forgot to ask you about it when you stopped by. I guess it wasn't that bad thought because you didn't mention it when you looked at the tank. Steve - I've got some macro for you. I'll be home all day so feel free to give me a call or drop by. I just saw this now. Anyway I can pick some up next weekend? Thanks! Going to test the Silica now...
Incredible Corals April 18, 2011 Author April 18, 2011 Testing the Silica and read 0.25. Not sure if that would cause the Cyano.
trockafella April 18, 2011 April 18, 2011 Anything above zero could be a contributing factor.. I couldve given you some cheato yesterday, didnt know you needed any..
zygote2k April 18, 2011 April 18, 2011 testing for silica is a time waster IMHO. It's more likely that you have nutrient buildup in that fresh sandbed that you recently created. There are no sand stirring critters and not enough microorganisms growing in the sandbed to consume the wastes and detritus. If your rockwork blocks some of the flow from the vortech, then you'll have little stagnant pockets of water that fill up with detritus. The cyano finds these little pockets and grows profusely in them. Strong bottom current will eliminate this problem.
Incredible Corals April 18, 2011 Author April 18, 2011 Anything above zero could be a contributing factor.. I couldve given you some cheato yesterday, didnt know you needed any.. I was going to ask but I already cherry picked you display tank. Didn't want to cherry pick your sump too testing for silica is a time waster IMHO. It's more likely that you have nutrient buildup in that fresh sandbed that you recently created. There are no sand stirring critters and not enough microorganisms growing in the sandbed to consume the wastes and detritus. If your rockwork blocks some of the flow from the vortech, then you'll have little stagnant pockets of water that fill up with detritus. The cyano finds these little pockets and grows profusely in them. Strong bottom current will eliminate this problem. I added 20 of those tiny red hermits and I'll get some more snails too. I think that along with time to build up some beneficial bacteria will fix the problem. Thanks for all the help.
trockafella April 18, 2011 April 18, 2011 Dont feel bad, I invited you over to cherry pick.!! See you made that stop on the way home.!
Incredible Corals April 18, 2011 Author April 18, 2011 Dont feel bad, I invited you over to cherry pick.!! See you made that stop on the way home.! Sure did, those little hermits are very cool. They were already to the top of the rock structure this morning. Did the Rasta open yet?
trockafella April 18, 2011 April 18, 2011 as of this morning it hadnt, but I will check later on. Ill probably put it with the hornets, and put them back in the DT.. I will let you know. How the frags look..?
Incredible Corals April 18, 2011 Author April 18, 2011 as of this morning it hadnt, but I will check later on. Ill probably put it with the hornets, and put them back in the DT.. I will let you know. How the frags look..? Let me know if it doesn't make it. That colony took a few day to open all the way when I first got it. Frags look awesome. Can't wait for them to grow a little then I'll start taking out some of the LPS/sofites at the top of the tank and replace with the SPS.
trockafella April 18, 2011 April 18, 2011 Nice.. if you need a place to rehome that clam im sure I can find a spot..!
Incredible Corals April 18, 2011 Author April 18, 2011 Nice.. if you need a place to rehome that clam im sure I can find a spot..! He's going to come down soon. If he doesn't like the sand bed he will come your way.
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