diagnosis - cyano

I've been struggling with yuckiness that I've determined or am pretty sure it's cyano. It's brownish in color with some red filaments. I just kept assuming it was hair algae but after looking more closely, I think it's cyano. I have high nitrates (sailfert between 25-50) and obviously phosphates since I do have algae as well. So, I've been reading and reading and I've decided I'm going to treat the tank with chemiclean. Does anyone have any advice from using this product? I want my tank to look good again!

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

Can we see a pic first?

 

it's yucky - I'll take one now.

 

If it comes off easily and you see air bubbles on top of it, it's cyano.

I would try to get your nutrients down before trying something like chemiclean. You need to address the root issue or its just going to come back.

If you do end up using it, follow the directions to a T. It reduces the amount of oxygen in your water so consider adding an air stone or 2 and increase your surface agitation.

Good luck!

 

I did throw in a couple of my maxi minis I really stink at photography too.

 

Agree.

 

Also are you still running the bio-pellets?

 

It doesn't look bad. I wouldn't use chemicals. I would increase water changes and increase flow.

 

I know, but I think I need to treat it at this point and I know what I need to do.....I feed very heavy. My thought is there's so much of it. You can see how it looks like it's interspersed with hair algae, that's what I've kept thinking it is but normal methods of algae removal don't work like they do on hair algae - or at least on this stuff. I also know I need more flow - and I need to improve my husbandry. So, I will try my best to be good following the treatment.

 

you really can't tell by the pictures - it's because of its color in the picture. It's really unsightly and everywhere. I'm hesitant to use a chemical as well. No, I haven't run bio-pellets on this newer tank. It just seems to be the best way to go at this point. It doesn't go away, and it doesn't really blow away when you direct flow onto it...that's why I kept thinking it was some form of hair algae but I can see reddish tint in the "strings" that are all over too.