Please need some help

[Byost2]

Hello everyone I have been dealing with a cyno and dino algae problem for a long while now( over a year). I will get into the details now I have a 240 gallon reef aquarium. For lighting I have 2 metal halide bulbs with 2 96 watt actinic power compact bulbs over the middle of the aquarium. On the right and left sides of the aquarium I have 1 epoch led light. All lights run for I believe 9 hours a day. I feed once a day of formula 1 flake or some pellet food. As for tank inhabitants I have 1 small rabbit fish, 1 small sail fin tang, 4 green chromis, 4 blue devil damsels. I have a handful of turbo snails. PH 8.3 , Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0, ammonia 0, Phosphates 10ppm, calcium is at 500, temp is around 83. Filtration is a 40 gallon wet dry sump, 1 echopps protein skimmer, 1 fluvel fx6 canister filter, 1 large inline canister filter (cant remember name) 1 phosphate reactor, and for the heck of it 2 emperor 400 hang on the back filters. I even put a large air stone within the sump. I read to add more flow to try to rid the aquarium of cyno so I have added 5 power heads all hydor power heads all above 800 gallons per hour flow. I have added chemicals to rid of the cyno but doesn't help. I have also bought a RO/DI filter and keep a 60 gallon trash tank full of ready to use water to top off or for water changes. Salt I'm using is instant ocean or reef crystals. I have tried to add more inverts for a clean up crew but I cant keep them alive. I just bought some snails yesterday and acclimated them for over an hour, and only 3 out of 5 are alive. I bought a urchin a week ago and it died the night I put it within the aquarium. I thought I had a electricity problem leaking a current within the water, and bought a ground wire that I placed within the sump. I'm sorry for the long post but I really am stumped on what to do next and need some help. Thanks to all for taking the time to read this.

 

[reef lover]

Might be whatevers killing off the inverts is feeding the cyano. Can you get an icp test done ?

 

[Brad Miller]

Put a rush on that test;Smug

 

[Sashaka]

Put the algae or bacteria under a scope and id. If you post some pics, it's easier for us to help you as well. You don't mention what "chemical" treatments you have tried. Unfortunately, different treatments are often necessary for different issues. It would be nice if there was a wonder drug that worked on everything the same, but until that is invented...

I've been dealing with a similar issue in my 180 gal., though not for as long as you. Many thought I was dealing with cyano, but a scope ID was needed to confirmed spirulina. The strategies/treatments I was using did not help. A different treatment was needed for a different bacteria that looked almost identical to cyano. Chemiclean was the cure for me. I now have GHA after the Chemiclean treatment, but it was expected as research suggested GHA after a treatment with Chemiclean is common. I'll be going lights out for awhile to get the GHA under control and doing some major tank cleaning, but the bacteria that was overtaking my tank is under control. My advice is to ID the problem and save yourself some of the headache I went through for several months.

 

[Byost2]

Might be whatevers killing off the inverts is feeding the cyano. Can you get an icp test done ?

What is a "icp" test?

 

[Byost2]

Put the algae or bacteria under a scope and id. If you post some pics, it's easier for us to help you as well. You don't mention what "chemical" treatments you have tried. Unfortunately, different treatments are often necessary for different issues. It would be nice if there was a wonder drug that worked on everything the same, but until that is invented...

I've been dealing with a similar issue in my 180 gal., though not for as long as you. Many thought I was dealing with cyano, but a scope ID was needed to confirmed spirulina. The strategies/treatments I was using did not help. A different treatment was needed for a different bacteria that looked almost identical to cyano. Chemiclean was the cure for me. I now have GHA after the Chemiclean treatment, but it was expected as research suggested GHA after a treatment with Chemiclean is common. I'll be going lights out for awhile to get the GHA under control and doing some major tank cleaning, but the bacteria that was overtaking my tank is under control. My advice is to ID the problem and save yourself some of the headache I went through for several months.

The chemical was chemiclean

 

[Sashaka]

The chemical was chemiclean

Chemiclean does not work on dinos. I guess you've ruled out spirulina then if the Chemiclean did not work.

Maybe DinoXal could help if it is dinos you're battling. https://www.h2oaquatics.co.uk/additives-1/qfi-dinoxal-250ml

I ordered some myself when I thought dinos might be my problem, but the microscope ID switched my course of action to Chemiclean. I've heard good things about the product...if using any chemical in our tanks can be thought of as "good" things. I think there's always a consequence to medications and treatments. I guess you're back to deciding "the better of two evils" again, sorry. Good luck!

 

[Sashaka]

What is a "icp" test?

ICP Test for the Following 33 Elements:
Aluminum, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Boron, Cadmium, Calcium, Cesium, Chlorine, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Lanthanum, Lead, Lithium, Magnesium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Mercury, Nickel, Phosphorus, Potassium, Rubidium, Scandium, Selenium, Silicon, Sodium, Strontium, Sulfur, Vanadium, Zinc
You can learn about it (and order aquarium water test kits) at the following link:

https://www.marinedepot.com/video/w...-water-testing-which-service-is-right-for-you

 

[Brad Miller]

WOW SASHAKA....that’s a mouthful elements....I really hope you don’t have that memorized :)

 

[Sashaka]

WOW SASHAKA....that’s a mouthful elements....I really hope you don’t have that memorized :)

No way! I may use my brain as a necessary part of my career (a teacher), but 33 tests is too much to memorize. Anyone can google ICP Test and obtain the same info from multiple sites, though I could have typed them instead of copying them because I had my water tested several years ago. Actually, Lowes was offering free water test kits, so I got my water tested. The test kit was free, but I did have to pay for the results. Marine Depot actually tests for 43 things. :O

 

[Byost2]

This is the best picture of what type of algae I'm having issues with.

 

[Sashaka]

This is the best picture of what type of algae I'm having issues with.

I am sorry you're still having such a problem. The Chemiclean did not work, so you may be looking at dinos. There are strains of cyano that Chemiclean does not kill, but unless you do a microscopic test, your treatments may be hit or miss. All I can recommend again is DinoXal or another like product. #Reefsquad ? Any other recommendations or alternate perspectives on his problem?

 

[jfahim]

Phosphate at 10ppm. You need to work on your export