Cyano Algae Issues help

frankdatank · Aug 19, 2013

Hello fellow reefers, I need help with my cyano issue. I have a 72 gallon mixed reef in a room with two windows. I am currently doing a 48 hour lights out and putting black out curtains on the windows. I'm also increasing my flow. Any other suggestions?

revhtree · Aug 19, 2013

You need to find the source of what the algae is feeding on.

How many fish do you have and how much do you feed?
Are you using RO/DI water to top the tank off and what TDS reading are you getting with it?
What type of flow do you have in the tank?
What type of filtration? If a skimmer is it doing it's job?
Do you have an adequate clean up crew?

thenissantech · Aug 20, 2013

You could also start running gfo. It worked great for me. I have no algae or cyano issues anymore since adding gfo.

bigfoot86 · Aug 20, 2013

Yea when I started using gfo i noticed a difference in just a couple days. Works well.

Mike J. · Aug 20, 2013

Cyano is an indication that your tank needs stepped up maintenance. It can be eliminated in a couple weeks with increased maintenance and export of detritus.
Here's a good article about Red Slime Algae.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/redfish/Redfish_Magazine_2012_November_Usa.pdf

Ep3n3wp · Aug 20, 2013

Time to step up those water changes and lighten up those feedings...as some one else stated its a sign of not keeping up with routine maintenance...

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frankdatank · Aug 20, 2013

I do 10% water changes weekly, and test weekely. All my paramerters are perfect. I use RO/DI. My tank is in a room with two windows that I have now blacked out. Reef Octo protein skimmer is doing great. I just finished a 48 hour lights out, got both windows covered yesterday and am doing an extra 10 gallon water change today. What is GFO and what does it cost?

Ep3n3wp · Aug 20, 2013

How many fish do you have, how often do you feed, and how much?

It sounds like your up on your maintenance...

Where do you get your Ro/Di water?

Gfo is granulate ferride oxide( I think I'm close on that acronym)

Gfo helps reduce phosphates.

Do you have a phosphate(Po4) tester?

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frankdatank · Aug 20, 2013

I tested phosphates this morning, nothing. I get my RO from my lfs. I really thing its was the sunlight coming in from my windows. Most of the red slime was on the side of my tank closest to the window. But that is also the side the wavemaker is on.

Mike J. · Aug 20, 2013

This is what I use. Be careful and start out with small amount of GFO. I use a small amount and change every two weeks.

BRS GFO & Carbon Reactor ? Deluxe - Bulk Reef Supply

IME with observing Cyano in a lot of tanks is that 90% of the time it is growing on top of detritus which collects in low flow areas of the tank. Red Slime Algae can help you to clean your tank. By syphoning out the Red Slime Algae when it is in full bloom, middle of light cycle, you are ridding the tank of the RSA, the nutrients that it has assimilated and the detritus that is under it.

Mike J. · Aug 20, 2013

Ep3n3wp said:
Time to step up those water changes and lighten up those feedings...as some one else stated its a sign of not keeping up with routine maintenance...

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This can be taken the wrong way and be insulting, but it sure was funny.

frankdatank · Aug 20, 2013

when you say syphon what do you mean?

Reefing Madness · Aug 20, 2013

The 48 hour lights out is supposed to be a 3 day lights out. Have your skimmer revved up as its going to be busy on the thrid day. Need to check the flow in your tank, is it suffiicient?
Syphoning would be using a hose to suck out the cyano. Or your water change line.
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/melevsreef/129946-cyanobacteria-bacteria-issues.html

Python Water Change Hose

Mike J. · Aug 20, 2013

I use a 3/8" O.D. hard tube inserted into a 1/2" O.D. clear hose and syphon it into a 5 gal. bucket. I do most of my water changes this way.

Reefing Madness · Aug 20, 2013

We should probably combine his Threads.

frankdatank · Aug 20, 2013

Hey tanks for all the help guys keep it coming. I am going to try and do my water change this way today. I use to do it that way in my 30 gallon,

frankdatank · Aug 20, 2013

dang.. i turned the lights on today. I was told not to go more than 48 because of corals. I can head by the house and cut them off during lunch. That would only have them on 3 hours today.