Cyanobacteria and lit candles

[sjlearmonth62]

Why does the Supreme guide say lit candles are a source of Cyanobacteria for marine aquariums when ChatGPT says lit candles cannot produce Cyanobacteria?

 

[Subsea]

Who is Supreme Guide? And I don’t care much about what chat says.

In this ridiculous sceanario, I agree that lit candles don’t contribute to Cyanobacteria

 

[sjlearmonth62]

What does “…If you plan on tunneling type fish…” mean in the Supreme Guide? It doesn’t make sense as English.

 

[Fish Fan]

I believe this is the Supreme Guide the OP is asking about:

Thread 'The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium'

Nov 12, 2013

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

Introduction

The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a ton of reading, and a ton of patience. It takes the whole household to have the perfect setup, so if you live with people make sure to tell them things that you learn that apply to them. If you or your housemates like to spray air freshener or light candles, try to keep...

• revhtree
• Replies: 180
• Forum: New to Saltwater & Reef Aquariums? Post Here

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I just searched that page for "candle" and nothing comes up

 

[EnterName]

Who is Supreme Guide? And I don’t care much about what chat says.

In this ridiculous sceanario, I agree that lit candles don’t contribute to Cyanobacteria

OP is talking about this guide:

Thread 'The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium'

Nov 12, 2013

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

Introduction

The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a ton of reading, and a ton of patience. It takes the whole household to have the perfect setup, so if you live with people make sure to tell them things that you learn that apply to them. If you or your housemates like to spray air freshener or light candles, try to keep...

• revhtree
• Replies: 180
• Forum: New to Saltwater & Reef Aquariums? Post Here

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• 
• 

In the introduction it's blaming candles and air freshener for cyanobacteria.

@revhtree might be able to explain.

 

[Fish Fan]

What does “…If you plan on tunneling type fish…” mean in the Supreme Guide? It doesn’t make sense as English.

In what context? He may be talking about fish that bury themselves in the sand or hide in a cave.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

What does “…If you plan on tunneling type fish…” mean in the Supreme Guide? It doesn’t make sense as English.

My guess is that it refers to sand-burrowing fish or those that hunker down in caves/crevicses

 

[EnterName]

I believe this is the Supreme Guide the OP is asking about:

Thread 'The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium'

Nov 12, 2013

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

Introduction

The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a ton of reading, and a ton of patience. It takes the whole household to have the perfect setup, so if you live with people make sure to tell them things that you learn that apply to them. If you or your housemates like to spray air freshener or light candles, try to keep...

• revhtree
• Replies: 180
• Forum: New to Saltwater & Reef Aquariums? Post Here

• 
• 
• 

I just searched that page for "candle" and nothing comes up

 

[sjlearmonth62]

I believe this is the Supreme Guide the OP is asking about:

Thread 'The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium'

Nov 12, 2013

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

Introduction

The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a ton of reading, and a ton of patience. It takes the whole household to have the perfect setup, so if you live with people make sure to tell them things that you learn that apply to them. If you or your housemates like to spray air freshener or light candles, try to keep...

• revhtree
• Replies: 180
• Forum: New to Saltwater & Reef Aquariums? Post Here

• 
• 
• 

I just searched that page for "candle" and nothing comes up

Here is a quote “If you or your housemates like to spray air freshener or light candles, try to keep them as far away from the tank as possible. This is the number one cause for Cyanobacteria in my area, and causes many people to give up when they could have just moved their candles in another room! ”

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

I believe this is the Supreme Guide the OP is asking about:

Thread 'The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium'

Nov 12, 2013

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

Introduction

The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a ton of reading, and a ton of patience. It takes the whole household to have the perfect setup, so if you live with people make sure to tell them things that you learn that apply to them. If you or your housemates like to spray air freshener or light candles, try to keep...

• revhtree
• Replies: 180
• Forum: New to Saltwater & Reef Aquariums? Post Here

• 
• 
• 

I just searched that page for "candle" and nothing comes up

It's in the intoduction section:

The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a ton of reading, and a ton of patience. It takes the whole household to have the perfect setup, so if you live with people make sure to tell them things that you learn that apply to them. If you or your housemates like to spray air freshener or light candles, try to keep them as far away from the tank as possible. This is the number one cause for Cyanobacteria in my area, and causes many people to give up when they could have just moved their candles in another room! Make sure you and your housemates can handle the occasional ocean smells that may occur. Some of us enjoy the smell of the ocean, so having a tank can be like a giant air freshener to some.

Maybe it's fumes/aromas are organic based and easily transfered into the tank water? Does it spike the DOC if it's too close? That's an interesting question though as I have long suspected that particulates in the air play a role in things like cyano/dinos. Spring in my area is rough in that my DOC spikes no matter what I do, and I point directly at the amount or pollen/organics in the air.

 

[Fish Fan]

Indeed, if you search for "candles" and not simply "candle" this pops up!

I have no idea what the direct relationship is between cyano and candles, except that he's likely talking about scented candles, which can potentially be dangerous to a tank (as are air fresheners, etc.). Maybe, the scented candles cause higher disssolved organic coupounds in the water that can fuel cyano. Just a guess though. Either way, cyano or not, it's a good idea not to burn scented candles next to your tank

 

[EnterName]

Indeed, if you search for "candles" and not simply "candle" this pops up!

I have no idea what the direct relationship is between cyano and candles, except that he's likely talking about scented candles, which can potentially be dangerous to a tank (as are air fresheners, etc.). Maybe, the scented candles cause higher disssolved organic coupounds in the water that can fuel cyano. Just a guess though. Either way, cyano or not, it's a good idea not to burn scented candles next to your tank

Maybe one of my next experiments. Measuring DOC with and without scented candle in the room while running an air pump or so

 

[sjlearmonth62]

It's in the intoduction section:

The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a ton of reading, and a ton of patience. It takes the whole household to have the perfect setup, so if you live with people make sure to tell them things that you learn that apply to them. If you or your housemates like to spray air freshener or light candles, try to keep them as far away from the tank as possible. This is the number one cause for Cyanobacteria in my area, and causes many people to give up when they could have just moved their candles in another room! Make sure you and your housemates can handle the occasional ocean smells that may occur. Some of us enjoy the smell of the ocean, so having a tank can be like a giant air freshener to some.

Maybe it's fumes/aromas are organic based and easily transfered into the tank water? Does it spike the DOC if it's too close? That's an interesting question though as I have long suspected that particulates in the air play a role in things like cyano/dinos. Spring in my area is rough in that my DOC spikes no matter what I do, and I point directly at the amount or pollen/organics in the air.

So is this in an error in the Guide? It’s confusing for a beginner needing to know accurate facts before embarking on an expensive hobby?

From ChatGPT…

No. Lit candles do not have anything to do with cyanobacteria.


There is no known biological or chemical connection between a burning candle and cyanobacteria.


A lit candle:

• Burns wax (such as paraffin, soy, or beeswax).
• Produces heat, light, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and small amounts of combustion by-products (such as soot if the flame is smoky).

Cyanobacteria:

• Are living photosynthetic bacteria.
• Need water or moisture to survive and grow.
• Are found in environments such as lakes, ponds, rivers, oceans, damp soil, and wet surfaces.
• Do not originate from combustion or burning.

If you came across a claim linking candles and cyanobacteria, it is likely based on a misunderstanding or confusion with another topic. If you can tell me where you heard or read it, I can help explain what it may have been referring to.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

So is this in an error in the Guide? It’s confusing for a beginner needing to know accurate facts before embarking on an expensive hobby?

I think it's a bit of an unknown, but has quite a bit of anecdotal evidence pointing to volatile organics/fumes really playing a role in allowing cyano and other non-desirable bacteria to supercharge. I don't think I have seen a formal study around this, but have direct evidence in my own tank when I see cyano/dinos pop up for no good reason. Usually means my DOC has crept up.

 

[sjlearmonth62]

DOC? cyano/dinos?

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

Dissolved organic carbon (different, but similar to NO3/PO4), can be measured with an ICP-MS test and is presented as SAC254 value. Think of it like volatile organics that can't be used well by the reef, but is still present and tends to allow cyano to thrive.

Cyanobacteria is a type of bacteria, not algae and looks like red slime. Dinoflagellates (Multiple types, but typically presents as brown/goopy/bubbly and looks like a bad sinus infection) are a type of single celled organism that can be very difficult to eradicate and will suffocate a tank pretty quick.

 

[sjlearmonth62]

So are lit candles a source of Cyanobacteria or not as claimed they are in the supreme guide?

 

[sjlearmonth62]

Indeed, if you search for "candles" and not simply "candle" this pops up!

I have no idea what the direct relationship is between cyano and candles, except that he's likely talking about scented candles, which can potentially be dangerous to a tank (as are air fresheners, etc.). Maybe, the scented candles cause higher disssolved organic coupounds in the water that can fuel cyano. Just a guess though. Either way, cyano or not, it's a good idea not to burn scented candles next to your tank

It’s important that precise and accurate information is presented in the guide for beginners before investing a lot of money in this hobby but the author of this guide seems to have been a bit sloppy in doing this - yes?

 

[Fish Fan]

It’s important that precise and accurate information is presented in the guide for beginners before investing a lot of money in this hobby but the author of this guide seems to have been a bit sloppy in doing this - yes?

I can't say if it's sloppy, we'd have to ask the author what he meant, he may know something that I don't know

What I can tell you for sure is that it is a very bad idea to use scented candles or air fresheners around your tank. I have no idea if it's linked to cyano, but it IS linked to other nasty chemicals that can kill a tank. So in that way, it's an accurate statement

 

[EnterName]

Indeed, if you search for "candles" and not simply "candle" this pops up!

I have no idea what the direct relationship is between cyano and candles, except that he's likely talking about scented candles, which can potentially be dangerous to a tank (as are air fresheners, etc.). Maybe, the scented candles cause higher disssolved organic coupounds in the water that can fuel cyano. Just a guess though. Either way, cyano or not, it's a good idea not to burn scented candles next to your tank

It’s important that precise and accurate information is presented in the guide for beginners before investing a lot of money in this hobby but the author of this guide seems to have been a bit sloppy in doing this - yes?

revhtree is a good guy and founder of this forum. I doubt he was purposefully spreading false information. Either there is something to it and he will be able to explain, or he was misguided by anecdotal evidence which happens to the best of us, if not everybody from time to time.

I can assure you the guide was written in good faith