Silicates and Cyano?

[ZzyzxRiver]

I’m currently experiencing a cyano situation—it’s mild, but has been going on for a few months now. I’m doing the usual maintenance, but I’m wondering if I should also quit dosing silicates until it’s gone? I see conflicting information online about whether or not Cyano takes it up. I’m running out of options before I have to give up and use chemiclean.

 

[EricR]

I don't know the answer but will just throw this out there:
I dealt with a moderate cyano issue (mostly on sand) for about 8 months.
Stopped dosing silicate and iron for about 4 months and that didn't seem to help at all (in my case).
*kinda assume diatom (competition) was likely helpful when I started dosing silicate again

I assume you've tried all of the other common stuff:
- manual removal
- calcium carbonate (flocculant)
- bacteria -- PNS Probio really seemed to help for me when I finally tried it but could've just been coincidence and/or timing along with the other stuff

*never resorted to Chemi-Clean or similar and likely wouldn't, just personally

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There is no uncertainty that Cyanobacteria do not use or consume silicates. Diatoms, sponges, and some other organisms do consume silicate.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

I assume you've tried all of the other common stuff:
- manual removal
- calcium carbonate (flocculant)
- bacteria -- PNS Probio really seemed to help for me when I finally tried it but could've just been coincidence and/or timing along with the other stuff

What does a flocculant do with regard to cyano?
I haven’t tried that!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What does a flocculant do with regard to cyano?
I haven’t tried that!

It reduces organics in the water, which can drive bacterial growth, including cyano.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

It reduces organics in the water, which can drive bacterial growth, including cyano.

So, something I would add to the water after basting the rock to dislodge everything, then getting out with a water change or into my filter floss?
What’s one more additive to buy? I’ll give it a go, LOL.

 

[Fish Fan]

So, something I would add to the water after basting the rock to dislodge everything, then getting out with a water change or into my filter floss?
What’s one more additive to buy? I’ll give it a go, LOL.

Can you post a pic of your tank? How bad is it?

In addition to suggestions above, you can add more flow too. It likes to grow in low-flow areas.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

Here is a FTS plus 2 areas of the substrate. The mat does get thicker than this, I have been running no whites for several days now but I just turned them back on today. There are certain rock crevices it will grow in but flow is high enough around the rock structure that it doesn’t tend to cover too much of it. It also goes on the substrate along the glass.

I think the problem was exacerbated by a simultaneous GHA outbreak that was capturing a lot of food particles and leading to excess organics. I’m probably 2/3 of the way to beating that through manual removal and added cleanup crew, so there should be a lot fewer organics remaining in the tank.

 

[Fish Fan]

Here is a FTS plus 2 areas of the substrate. The mat does get thicker than this, I have been running no whites for several days now but I just turned them back on today. There are certain rock crevices it will grow in but flow is high enough around the rock structure that it doesn’t tend to cover too much of it. It also goes on the substrate along the glass.

I think the problem was exacerbated by a simultaneous GHA outbreak that was capturing a lot of food particles and leading to excess organics. I’m probably 2/3 of the way to beating that through manual removal and added cleanup crew, so there should be a lot fewer organics remaining in the tank.

I'm going to say, that does not look bad at all I would suggest that you increase your flow, consider some sand sifting snails like Nassarius or a Conch, and blow any on the rocks off with your trusty turkey baster.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

I'm going to say, that does not look bad at all I would suggest that you increase your flow, consider some sand sifting snails like Nassarius or a Conch, and blow any on the rocks off with your trusty turkey baster.

My stupid conch! It cleans the sand around it as far as its proboscis can reach but NEVER actually moves!
I have four nassarius snails. I have read that you should have one per gallon, which seems insane to me. I’ve got dwarf and regular ceriths and a zillion planaxis snails in there too as well as 20 hermits, both red and blue.
I’m already at 10x/hour flow, but my powerhead is only at 30%. I could up it!
Thanks for the tips. Time to scrub some more GHA and baste out some gunk!

 

[Dan_P]

It reduces organics in the water, which can drive bacterial growth, including cyano.

Has there been an aquarium study that actually measured organic carbon concentration reduction affected cyanobacteria growth?

 

[Denst]

I brought a tiger Conch and put him straight on my cyano he loves it! started eating straight away but has ignored another patch

 

[Baylott224]

Diamond goby will keep that substrate very clean

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So, something I would add to the water after basting the rock to dislodge everything, then getting out with a water change or into my filter floss?
What’s one more additive to buy? I’ll give it a go, LOL.

What product are you referring to?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Has there been an aquarium study that actually measured organic carbon concentration reduction affected cyanobacteria growth?

Not any specific study that I have seen, but a number of actions that folks find useful for cyano are likely working this way, such as coral snow. The reverse also demonstrates a connection where organic carbon dosing can boost cyano almost instantly.

 

[EricR]

On the calcium carbonate (coral snow) topic, this thread is worth checking out if you haven't seen it:

Cyano Eradication

*note -- many seem to add bacteria to their calcium carbonate solution but I don't.
When I asked one of the PNS cultivators on here, the response was that calcium carbonate solution pH would likely be high and could potentially be harmful to the bacterial strains,,, so I always dosed PNS bacteria separately.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

On the calcium carbonate (coral snow) topic, this thread is worth checking out if you haven't seen it:

Cyano Eradication

*note -- many seem to add bacteria to their calcium carbonate solution but I don't.
When I asked one of the PNS cultivators on here, the response was that calcium carbonate solution pH would likely be high and could potentially be harmful to the bacterial strains,,, so I always dosed PNS bacteria separately.

I think that if one wants to add both bacteria and calcium carbonate, they should be added separately.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

Now I’m wondering if the ceramic bioballs I keep in the back chamber of my AIO might be an issue. After six months of being in there, could they be holding on to something that encourages cyano?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Now I’m wondering if the ceramic bioballs I keep in the back chamber of my AIO might be an issue. After six months of being in there, could they be holding on to something that encourages cyano?

Seems unlikely. I’m not a fan of biobslls and personally would remove them, but cyano would not be a reason.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

Seems unlikely. I’m not a fan of biobslls and personally would remove them, but cyano would not be a reason.

What makes you not a fan?