Need help with my current lighting situation

[aus1230]

I currently have a 40 gallon long IM tank that has two AI prime 16s on the outside and a Prime 32HD in the center. I'm currently struggling with Cyano and thought I might be able to come here and see if anyone could tell me anything with my light schedule or if this is probably too much lighting over a 40 gallon long (which I'm sure it is). I have already decided to separate the primes from the 32 HD but I'll be honest I have no idea if I'm lowering the intensity correctly. Ultimately I'm sure I need to purchase a PAR meter.

 

[Dom]

So its really a Cyano situation, not a lighting situation.

I would be curious to know what your nitrates and phosphates are as I don't believe lighting is the cause.

 

[aus1230]

So its really a Cyano situation, not a lighting situation.

I would be curious to know what your nitrates and phosphates are as I don't believe lighting is the cause.

Sure here you go.

 

[Dom]

Sure here you go.

Am I missing something? Which of these are nitrates and which are phosphates?

It looks like top is phosphate and bottom is nitrate?

 

[aus1230]

Am I missing something? Which of these are nitrates and which are phosphates?

It looks like top is phosphate and bottom is nitrate?

Sorry about that. Top one is phosphates and the bottom is nitrates.

 

[aus1230]

Am I missing something? Which of these are nitrates and which are phosphates?

It looks like top is phosphate and bottom is nitrate?

I am also currently testing my nitrates and phosphates in the morning and the afternoon to make sure that I am crossing that off my list of possible reasons for the Cyano. I am just making sure that my light settings are good as well. Trying to check off all of the possible culprits off the list as I know this can be a very complex thing with multiple reasons.

 

[Dom]

Sorry about that. Top one is phosphates and the bottom is nitrates.

I was thinking that your nitrates may have zeroed out.

I'm currently dealing with the same situation. But it has improved since I began dosing to raise nitrates.

 

[aus1230]

I was thinking that your nitrates may have zeroed out.

I'm currently dealing with the same situation. But it has improved since I began dosing to raise nitrates.

I have struggled with them in the past getting to the lower side but have never bottomed out. So I have decided to feed a little more so I've bumped by daily feeding to 1.5 cubes of Mysis shrimp and plan to monitor twice a day to see what my tank is doing.

 

[Tikki]

Are you sure it’s not dinos?
How’s flow?

 

[aus1230]

Are you sure it’s not dinos?
How’s flow?

It is. I keep writing these saying it’s cyano but it’s Dinos.

 

[Tikki]

Are you sure it’s not dinos?
How’s flow?

It is. I keep writing these saying it’s cyano but it’s Dinos.

Oh okay, well lot’s of good info online for battling dinos. Will be helpful if you have access to a microscope for identification. It’s been a while since I’ve dealt with them but humblefish has some good info if I recall. I think adding UV and making sure nutrients weren’t bottoming out was the main thing that helped me.