Green Cyano or Film Algae Help

[ReefSoup]

@Sallstrom @taricha Funny - I haven't done my water change yet, mixed my salt yesterday with plans to do it today. I come down stairs this morning, and there's noticeably much less on my sand bed than there was last night. Rather than large mats, there's small patches here and there. The cyano must've known I was talking about it.

 

[Sallstrom]

Maybe you should skip this water change if things are going the right direction anyway? :)
The idea behind that is that the WC is another change, and cyano often do well if somethings changes.

 

[ReefSoup]

Maybe you should skip this water change if things are going the right direction anyway? :)
The idea behind that is that the WC is another change, and cyano often do well if somethings changes.

Waiting a couple days to see what happens can't hurt. Worst case if it stays the same or gets worse, then I'll do the change.

I know there's mixed thoughts on this, but do you think using filter socks or some other type of mechanical filtration could help by pulling out some of the excess solids and uneaten food? I've never used socks because the way I built my sump (regret it after fact), I can't fit a sock under my drain line so it's always just been my skimmer. I might have to get creative and try something DIY.

 

[Sallstrom]

From the picture in your first post I think your tank looks really clean as it is. So I would not worry about socks or that kind of filtration. We do not use filter socks. Too much work :) But then I like to run tanks with some particals in the water and lots of filter feeders. If I feel the sand is dirty I vacuum it. If there are piles of detritus in the sump, I can remove those.

Otherwise just vacuum out the cyano.