26 gallon issues

[vladthesmall]

I’ve been running my 26 gallon for a few months now. This is my 3rd time trying to run this tank and this has been my best run but right now I’m dealing with cyno on the rocks and some of the sand. It isn’t a ton but it’s enough I can suck it up when it builds up after a few weeks to month. I’m running .26 phosphate and close to 5 nitrate. But my zoas aren’t opening up. I shut down my larger 200 system and moved a few of my favorite sps and a chalice in there and I really don’t wanna kill them. I’m very broke and can’t afford to buy a portien skimmer at the moment does anyone have any idea of what I should do or try?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

You shouldn't need a protein skimmer on a 25 gallon. Cyano is pretty common in newer tanks, no one really knows what causes it exactly, but its generally supposed from imbalance of nutrients and low flow. Otherwise, try chemiclean, chemiclean will knock it out fast and easy.

 

[vladthesmall]

You shouldn't need a protein skimmer on a 25 gallon. Cyano is pretty common in newer tanks, no one really knows what causes it exactly, but its generally supposed from imbalance of nutrients and low flow. Otherwise, try chemiclean, chemiclean will knock it out fast and easy.

The thing is it’s been running for over 6 months. I ordered chemiclean last night but I’m not sure how to lower my nitrates and phosphates. They’ve always been high in this one tank. I only have 2 fish and do water changes often

 

[Reef.]

5 nitrate is on the low side if anything it definitely doesn’t need lowering, and Randy from this site says po4 of below 0.3 probably doesn’t need reducing.

Not sure why you have been letting this hr cyano sit for weeks and months, remove it as soon as you see it.

If you don’t want to give it time, I have used Red Cyano Rx previously, all cyano gone in two days no harm to corals or fish…I am not sure if it’s the same as chemiclean? I don’t think it is but if only a little I would probably try removing it for a couple of weeks before adding the chemiclean as some people do not recommend that stuff.

 

[vladthesmall]

5 nitrate is on the low side if anything it definitely doesn’t need lowering, and Randy from this site says po4 of below 0.3 probably doesn’t need reducing.

Not sure why you have been letting this hr cyano sit for weeks and months, remove it as soon as you see it.

If you don’t want to give it time, I have used Red Cyano Rx previously, all cyano gone in two days no harm to corals or fish…I am not sure if it’s the same as chemiclean? I don’t think it is but if only a little I would probably try removing it for a couple of weeks before adding the chemiclean as some people do not recommend that stuff.

Any idea why my zoas wouldn’t be opening I definitely have enough light/flow

 

[vladthesmall]

Any idea why my zoas wouldn’t be opening I definitely have enough light/flow

Any tips for removing it?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I wouldn't worry about trying to lower your nutrients, they seem fine, and like I said its really unknown what causes cyano, remember its a bacteria not an algae. If your tank is in order and you do regular maintenance and good husbandry, then chemiclean will get rid of it. Chemiclean is a bacteria itself, so it doesn't interfere with your reef in any way. And as per above, I don't know what is red cyano RX lol. cheers

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Any idea why my zoas wouldn’t be opening I definitely have enough light/flow

Just my opinion only, but one thing at a time. IMO clear the cyano, wait a couple weeks make sure it doesn't come back, and if the tank is good and zoa's still not opening by then, then work on it. Don't change too much too fast. Good luck

 

[cba191]

You shouldn't need a protein skimmer on a 25 gallon. Cyano is pretty common in newer tanks, no one really knows what causes it exactly, but its generally supposed from imbalance of nutrients and low flow. Otherwise, try chemiclean, chemiclean will knock it out fast and easy.

I'm new to this, but why wouldn't you want a skimmer?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I'm new to this, but why wouldn't you want a skimmer?

The main purpose of the skimmer is to remove dissolved organics, which is also accomplished with water changes. On smaller tanks, like this one for example, its very easy and very effective to do 5 or 10 gallon water change. Running activated carbon is another way of removing organics from the water but not as effective as a skimmer or water change.

In this case the OP mentions that he has only 2 fish in his 25 gallon so super low bioload. Also the OP nutrients are already rather low, so a skimmer in this case would be overkill. IMO. Hope this helps

 

[Reef.]

Any idea why my zoas wouldn’t be opening I definitely have enough light/flow

If the tank was running well then you should be worried your zoas are not opening but as you have issues you have to sort the issues out then see if that solves the problem…its a case of eliminating any obvious issues then see if that fixes the problem, if not try something else, light, flow etc etc

 

[vladthesmall]

Thank you for the help everyone I’m gonna start the cyno treatment and update when it’s finished

 

[vladthesmall]

i put in some slime out by fritz this morning to try and get rid of the cyano quicker and i noticed the polyps were closer on my acros will they be ok? my alk is at 7.2 and the tank i transfereed them from is around 8 so i think that could be part of it