Combating Cyano.

I had the same problem. Flow wasn't even a factor as my cyano would grow everywhere. I used this chemical i bought off ebay for like 10 bucks. Killed it off in a good week and it never came back. If you go this route do not overdose. Bad things happen.

 

Looks like cyano, your corals should not be retracted like because of cyano.

I would go many routes like additives such as MB7 or Dr.Tims products prior to any "slime algae removers".

Buck up, if I quit every time I had an out break of this or that I would have been out of the hobby many years ago.

Less interventions over a longer period of time is your best friend. Sudden changes and administration of additives and frequent water changes will completely crash a tank.

JM2C

 

Great info..... LOL @ "buck up"

 

If you want cyano to go away you can dose 1ml per 10 gallons of hydrogen peroxide H2O2 for 5 days.

 

I've historically been skeptical of people's "success" with bacterial supplements. It seems usually they have tried "everything else" first, so, then when they have "success" it's tough to say if it was the bacteria in a bottle, or the "other things" are finally catching up and working. Dr. Tim is quite knowledgeable though, and a respected scientist. There have been a lot of reports about people having success. I've also seen people crash tanks with chemical quick fixes, so, my .02 is the bacteria is worth a try. Generally though, I am able to eliminate cyano with reduce Phosphate and increased flow, and if worse comes to worse, a few days of lights out. But there are times when people have more stubborn strains, so, perhaps changing the microbial dynamics of the system can help in these cases. Can't hurt...

 

I too have been slugging it out with Cyano in my 125. The other day I actually had some time to do some removal. Now I dont know if this was a good idea or bad idea but heres what I did.

There was quite a bit on my rocks and I didnt want to go "turkey baster and net" on it and make a huge mess. I took a sock and rinsed it out VERY well and clamped it to the rim of my sump. Then stick a long piece of tubing in the sock and clamp it so it doesnt pop out. Get the water flowing and you have suction tube to clean your rocks without having to replace any water. I was scared at first that it was going to put tiny particles in the column and spread everywhere but thus far (6 days) it has not!

Just be careful not to overflow your sump! : )

 

reefnJeff,

My "buck up" was not meant to be insensitive.

Members:Grinder, Vinny, Evolved, Corailline, 2in10......... We have all had bouts of Cyano in the past year. Some cases more stubborn than others. While frustrating, expensive and unsightly, cyano happens. Right now I have a couple of really good patches going, mostly in low flow areas. I feed only pellets and use RO/DI water and yet I still have it.


I have used red slime remover products with good temporary results, but the cyano always came back in a month or two. The tanks I have used it one were not full on reef tanks. I would never even consider using these products in a tank with a lot of corals. The majority of tanks may do fine after treatment but I have known more than one hobbyist that completely crashed their reef tanks with use of these products, even when they took all the right precautions.

 

It's cool Corailline, I appreciate everyones input. Its not the Cyano that's has me thinking I am up over my head. As you stated the Cyano would not cause the ill effect some of my Corals are going through. Some how some way I know I willk beat the Cyano, whats making me crazy is what is going on with my animals, just not long ago I was proud my Duncun that I bought as 1 head had grown in to a 6 head Coral, but now looks like it won't survive. I sure don't like killing things.

I was hoping to rid it naturally, I wanted to add Chaeto in my refugium and see if I could get that growing, but if I need to use a chemical, guess maybe I should.

 

Stability and patience...

It sounds like you've been making daily changes. Water changes, lighting changes, stirring things up, hands in and out of the tank (my LFS owner says the greatest pest we can get in our tanks is the "hand anemone"), etc. If you're not overly worried about the Cyano, I would just hold the course. You're critters may just need a break from all of this for a few days.

I've had my Duncan fully retract for a couple of days and I thought I had lost it. Did one small water change and waited it out. It was back to normal with full extension in a couple of days.

Nothing good happens fast in this hobby.

 

Cyano can be toxic, but the toxins are easily removed via GAC and are destroyed by intense light. The corals issues would appear to be a water quality issue though. What are your parameters. I would say, if your parameters are in check, then consistent, frequent water changes should help the corals (and should also help the cyano). 10-15% per week works best IME.