Is GFO needed

[fernalfer]

Ok i have a 120 gallon tank 4 1/2 months old that has a cyano issue that just does not want to go away. Besides the cyano i really don't have any other algae except on the overflows to the back of the tank that my turbo snails take care of everyday. Besides that i get a light haze of algae showing up on my glass about 7 days after cleaning it off. Now i have cut down on feeding to once a day and have cut my light schedule quite a bit. My parameters are:

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 3
Phosphate - .003 (Per Hanna Checker)
Calcium - 500
Magnesium - 1470
Alkalinity - 9 dKh
Ph - 8.1

Now this cyano is making my corals mad and they are not opening fully because some of the cyano is hanging off them.

I have a Reef Octopus Skimmer rated for 150 gallons working great and use filter socks that i change out every other day. I also syphon the cyano at my weekly water changes off the rocks and sandbed. I believe i have taken steps for better tank husbandry but the cyano keeps returning everyday.

Here is my plan and please comment on whether it is good or not.

I will Turn lights out for 3 days, Will purchase a GFO Reactor and install during the 3 day lights out process, and water change after the 3 days of no light.

Question is, Do you think a GFO reactor alone may do the trick or should i combine it with 3 days of no light?

 

[cromag27]

Could be cyano or spirulina. go to this link for I.d. and treatment.

http://reef2reef.com/threads/cyanobacteria-questions-answers-and-solution.253823/

 

[Coastie Reefer]

I think gfo will help. What do you have for flow? Cyano often hangs out in dead spots in the tank. Cyano can be a pain once it takes hold, but it's not the end of the world...

 

[fernalfer]

I think gfo will help. What do you have for flow? Cyano often hangs out in dead spots in the tank. Cyano can be a pain once it takes hold, but it's not the end of the world...

Flow is great i have 2 Jaebo rw-15s that i have to turn way down because it is to much. But this cyano still grows in even the highest flow areas. It is starting to become a pain.

 

[jsker]

At 4 1/2 months this part of the progress of the system. Yes some GFO would be great to get the GFO number down below .02 ppm. Do you have a large cleaning crew in the tank? If not hire some more:)

 

[ant203]

GFO&pods,cheato helped me a ton GFO runs all the time took care of my issue. what kind of lights do you run?

 

[fernalfer]

At 4 1/2 months this part of the progress of the system. Yes some GFO would be great to get the GFO number down below .02 ppm. Do you have a large cleaning crew in the tank? If not hire some more:)

I only have 2 turbo snails, 3 green emerald crabs, 3 scarlett hermit crabs, 3 nassarius snails, and 2 skunk cleaner shrimp. These alone keep the little algae that grows at bay. Do not want to add more because this keeps them fed nicely. Its the cyano that is the problem. And nothing really eats cyano

 

[fernalfer]

GFO&pods,cheato helped me a ton GFO runs all the time took care of my issue. what kind of lights do you run?

I tried cheato and it just wouldn't grow. tried like 3 different lights.

Reefbreeder Photon V2's - https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/photon-48-v2/

 

[ant203]

I tried cheato and it just wouldn't grow. tried like 3 different lights.

Reefbreeder Photon V2's - https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/photon-48-v2/

1-cheato. does it have enoff flow? i swear by led because if working for me 3 leds 6500 grow/white
2- main tank lights what are you running?

 

[jsker]

Try the GFO first, you could look at dosing some type of carbon product. Again this is part of a young system until it gets established with the right bactira levels

 

[fernalfer]

1-cheato. does it have enoff flow? i swear by led because if working for me 3 leds 6500 grow/white
2- main tank lights what are you running?

Main tank lights are the reefbreeders up above.

 

[ant203]

Main tank lights are the reefbreeders up above.

ok thats a plus in my eyes leds. start with GFO and let it run you should see progress in about a week.i use rowaphos had the same issue and it helped tremendously. first i tryed all the other natural way's cheato h202 water changes lights out all helped a bit but not as good as GFO. this is my tank runing since june 25 of this year sorry camera on phone pics dont do justic ive now battling cal,alk,mag issuses lol

 

[fernalfer]

Here are pics of mine with the nuisance cyano over the rocks.

 

[ant203]

can you lower the intensity of your lights? and set them to the par you need for your corals once i got rid of my t5's and went leds all my ugly alge went bye,bye happy as a pig in you know what haha

 

[Coastie Reefer]

John Maloney @reefcleaners might have suggestions CUC members that target Cyrano too...