Extreme Water Clarity and Cyano Eradication, Made Easy!

[SunnyX]

perfectly done!
Do you clean pumps/powerheads every week?

Yes, for the most part. I simply take a toothbrush to the pumps. Once ever quarter I will remove the wetsides of the pumps and give them a good soak and scrub.

 

[i cant think]

Hello all!

I have been reefing now for about 25 years, and over those many years I have picked up many tips, tricks, and best habits/practices. From a hobbyist and even a coral vendors perspective, I have gained quite a bit of valuable information. Many of you likely even have a coral that came from company, Pro Corals. The most popular of which being the PC Rainbow Acro.,

Over those years I attempted to pass on as much information and knowledge as possible. Now, I am compiling all the knowledge into one area and will be releasing articles and likely some YouTube guides on a weekly basis.

This is a great hobby and what makes it great is the wonderful community of reefers. Almost all are extremely helpful and it is our duty to aid one another and when we can, impart the little knowledge that we pickup along the way to aid others in their journey. We, and myself included, can easily forget what it was like entering the hobby. Its a minefield and much livestock and funds can be wasted. For someone like myself, books and online forums were my only sanctuary as I did not have any local hobbyist to gather knowledge from. There were many issues, losses and way too much money needlessly spent. Hopefully this series of guides will help those just entering the hobby and perhaps even help some reefing veterans to polish up their game.

The articles will be posted on my blog and right here on Reef2Reef. I am slowly building up my online presence through FB, Instagram and YouTube. If you'd like to follow along and receive the most up to date information please feel free to follow. I will try and keep the articles and video brief. We all have busy lives so I will attempt to post only the cliff notes.

www.ReefSite.com
Instagram: @Reefsite
Fb: @ReefSites
Twitter: @RimlessReef
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SonnyM63



Now, enough yammering. Onto the article!


Extreme Water Clarity and Cyano Eradication, Made Easy!

One of the most frequent questions I receive is how do I have such amazing water clarity and an overall clean looking setup. Well, it quite simple and you can easily do the same while also helping rid yourself of cyano or and the very least not allowing it to gain a foothold in your system. While this is not a cure-all, it will help you achieve your goals and help maintain a healthy aquarium.


For a number of years I had purchased branded products of Coral Snow to help achieve water clarity. That is, until I asked around and found that you can simply make you own Coral Snow solution, saving you hundreds of dollars.

What is Coral Snow?

At its simplest, Coral Snow is a Flocculant.

Flocculant’s work by binding small particles together into a larger mass that can be easily removed via filter socks or a proteins skimmer. The Coral Snow can also help to removal yellowing compounds such as phenols while at the same time helping neutralizes some undesirable chemicals in the system.

Personally, I use this powder Calcium Powder and one jar should last you years. Creating the solution couldn't be any simpler.

• Select a clean container, one that is resealable and able to be shaken. I use an old creatine bottle.(Yes, I am on the GAIN TRAIN)
• For 500ML of solution, add 10 level tablespoons of powder to roughly 425-450ML of RO/DI water.
• Shake the bottle up, and let it sit for two hours. After which, it will be ready to use.
• Now, I don’t believe that you can overdose with this product, but a good recommended dose is 5ml per 50gl of aquarium volume.
• Be sure to shake up the bottle prior to each use as the powder can settle.

The best time to add the solution to you aquarium is after conducting maintenance such as blowing off the rocks, cleaning the glass, siphoning the sand or conducting a water change. Ideally, you should be doing all of the aforementioned maintenance items during a water change, but that discussion is for another time.

Now, on to my personal favorite use of the product: preventing and getting rid of Cyano!

Cyano Solution

Cyano, in all its forms, has been the bane of many a reefers existence. Nothing can upset or ruin the appearance of an aquarium display like that nasty, slimy cyano! The algae is present in all systems, and dates back to the dawn of planet but you can keep it from taking over your aquarium and causing you heartache.

Ideally, you want to be taking preventative measures to ensure that cyano does not gain any real estate in your reef. Prevention is always easier than treatment, but if you can always treat it too.

To amplify the Coral Snow, you will need a bacterial solution. Most will do, but I like Microbacter7 by Brightwell Aquatics. What we are doing here is mixing the bacteria with the Coral Snow, allowing it to bond and adhere to the surface of sand and rock. Basically, we’re trying to eliminate land for the cyano to stake its claim. While most of the Coral Snow will be removed via filtration, there will be a bit that coats you aquariums surfaces, in this case with bacteria that will out compete algae.

The Mix

Take your measured solution of Coral Snow and add it to a small container.

• A plastic or glass cup will suffice.
• Next, add 10 drops of Microbacter7 per 5ML of Coral Snow.
• Allow 5 minutes for the solution to sit and then dose into your aquarium.

Note that Coral Snow will cloud your aquarium for at least two hours. Filter socks and Protein Skimmer(s) should be left on.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you find this Coral Snow solution to be advantageous. I have used it for years with great results. My aquariums are devoid of cyano and nuisance algae. The fish look like their floating in mid air and the true colors of the corals are allowed to shine through.

I dose once a week but there is no issue dosing it daily if you are dealing with a particularly bad breakout of cyano. For best results, siphon out as much cyano as possible before dosing Coral Snow.

Good luck and if you need any additional help please feel free to reach out.

Sonny [email protected]

One small thing is that Cyano is not an algae and is instead a bacteria. As for does it work, personally I have tried this however it failed and the only thing that got rid of my cyano was my K. hectori. But that is just my experience with cyano for 3 years.
Other than that, excellent information!
Personally I prefer the look of dirtier tanks (I find them to look more natural) however this has clearly helped many other reefers and I’m sure it will help more
Keep up the good work!

 

[Kkuhar]

Tried it about 2 hours ago. AMAZING!

 

[billyocean]

One small thing is that Cyano is not an algae and is instead a bacteria. As for does it work, personally I have tried this however it failed and the only thing that got rid of my cyano was my K. hectori. But that is just my experience with cyano for 3 years.
Other than that, excellent information!
Personally I prefer the look of dirtier tanks (I find them to look more natural) however this has clearly helped many other reefers and I’m sure it will help more
Keep up the good work!

A hectors goby? Does it eat it or just keep the sand turned over to stop it?

 

[i cant think]

A hectors goby? Does it eat it or just keep the sand turned over to stop it?

It eats it. I too thought it was just turning the sand over to stop it but this cyano was all over the rocks, sand, back of the tank, everywhere. Photos with Cyano in were either before or the day my Koumansetta hectori went in. Photos with a spotless tank are a few days after the hectori went in.

and here’s an FTS from recently (I think this is 2 days old - please excuse the film algae growth on the sides, I usually give up keeping ontop of it as it grows back so fast).

 

[Lavey29]

It eats it. I too thought it was just turning the sand over to stop it but this cyano was all over the rocks, sand, back of the tank, everywhere. Photos with Cyano in were either before or the day my Koumansetta hectori went in. Photos with a spotless tank are a few days after the hectori went in.

and here’s an FTS from recently (I think this is 2 days old - please excuse the film algae growth on the sides, I usually give up keeping ontop of it as it grows back so fast).

Cool fang blenny

 

[i cant think]

Cool fang blenny

I wish I owned a fang blenny - instead I own a E. lineatus.
Also sorry Sunny, accidentally hijacked the thread.

 

[Lavey29]

I wish I owned a fang blenny - instead I own a E. lineatus.
Also sorry Sunny, accidentally hijacked the thread.

Ok I'm not familiar but I did think yours had more black then mine.

 

[Chortanator]

Tried it about 2 hours ago. AMAZING!

What was the result for your cyano?

 

[i cant think]

Ok I'm not familiar but I did think yours had more black then mine.

Oh wait, do you mean the gold and brown stripped guy?
That’s my Koumansetta hectori very different to the rainfordi which is much more defined and known Koumansetta species.

 

[Lavey29]

Oh wait, do you mean the gold and brown stripped guy?
That’s my Koumansetta hectori very different to the rainfordi which is much more defined and known Koumansetta species.

Science wasn't my area. Simple is my middle name.

 

[youcallmenny1]

What was the result for your cyano?

I've tried this twice so far. Clarity was a bit improved but it didn't do anything for the cyano. I am using Brightwell Microbater7 added to the DIY coral snow.

 

[SunnyX]

What was the result for your cyano?

Oh, it’ll take some time before all the cyano is gone. We’re talking 2-4 weeks or longer depending on the severity of the cyano outbreak. The water clarity though is same day.

Over time, with weekly use you should not have cyano popping up anymore. That is, provided you’re staying on top of the rest of your maintenance. You will also need to siphon out as much cyano as possible before dosing this solution. The key here is that we want the solution to coat as much of the available surfaces as possible, giving no room for the cyano to take hold.

 

[youcallmenny1]

Oh, it’ll take some time before all the cyano is gone. We’re talking 2-4 weeks or longer depending on the severity of the cyano outbreak. The water clarity though is same day.

Over time, with weekly use you should not have cyano popping up anymore. That is, provided you’re staying on top of the rest of your maintenance. You will also need to siphon out as much cyano as possible before dosing this solution. The key here is that we want the solution to coat as much of the available surfaces as possible, giving no room for the cyano to take hold.

Nice. I'll keep at it! I appreciate the pro-tip. Cheap and easy to implement for sure.

 

[Chortanator]

Oh, it’ll take some time before all the cyano is gone. We’re talking 2-4 weeks or longer depending on the severity of the cyano outbreak. The water clarity though is same day.

Over time, with weekly use you should not have cyano popping up anymore. That is, provided you’re staying on top of the rest of your maintenance. You will also need to siphon out as much cyano as possible before dosing this solution. The key here is that we want the solution to coat as much of the available surfaces as possible, giving no room for the cyano to take hold.

Does stirring the sandbed work as well instead of siphoning? I've been stirring it daily since I just have a few patches at the front of my tank

 

[SunnyX]

Does stirring the sandbed work as well instead of siphoning? I've been stirring it daily since I just have a few patches at the front of my tank

I would siphon and more often than not there is something under the sandbed that is feeding the cyano. I siphon weekly to maintain a clean sandbed. Generally, takes only 20 minutes to siphon and finish up a 40gl water change. I posted a video a page or so back Or check my YouTube channel.

 

[dadnjesse]

I just made this last night. I went to use it tonight after shaking and mine was watery. I compared what I made with some KZ Coral Snow I had and the KZ was creamy next to what I made. Can I add more Calcium Carbonate to thicken it up?

 

[JCM]

I just checked some old threads. It was Mrs. wages Pickling Lime as a substitute for kalk. Sorry for the confusion.

mrs wages pickling lime

Is anyone still using this for limewater? What dosage are you using it at? Picked up some and wanna give it a shot.

www.reef2reef.com

I still use Mrs. Wages for my kalk, works great!

 

[billyocean]

I just made this last night. I went to use it tonight after shaking and mine was watery. I compared what I made with some KZ Coral Snow I had and the KZ was creamy next to what I made. Can I add more Calcium Carbonate to thicken it up?

You shake it at first and let it sit for two hours. Then just shake it before you use it

 

[dadnjesse]

You shake it at first and let it sit for two hours. Then just shake it before you use it

That's what I did.