Using Phytoplankton to Combat Cyanobacteria

[mitch91175]

Hey everyone. I was feeding my tank phyto frequently then got a little lazy with the holidays and everything. During that time I notice I started having cyano outbreak. Did the usual testing for nutrient levels and had a little elevated phophates. Bought them down some and obviously still have cyano that was popping up here and there. Also doing carbon dosing (vinegar) so that may have a little to do with it as well.

But with this happening, it got me thinking, was feeding the phyto frequently keeping the cyano at bay? I did some research and found this study about it:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00288330.1987.9516242

The part that I am wondering about is this section:

Since we do not really have an abundance of zooplankton in our systems (someone please correct me if I am wrong), the thought is that by feeding the phytoplankton, it consumes nutrients (and feeding the inhabitants), then either get filtered out/skimmed/die (releasing nutrients) will out compete the cyano. I have noticed that my cyano isn't coming back nearly as fast since I began feeding large qty of phytoplankton daily again. Time will tell, but this is interesting stuff.

Anyone else notice anything like this or maybe the opposite effect?

 

[TheEngineer]

Interesting. I’m following along.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

From a quick read through the paper, grazing of phytoplankton reduces its levels & cyano can proliferate due to less competition for nutrients (nitrogen & phosphate).
For phyto to out compete cyano in the aquarium you would need living phyto, to photosynthesise & take up the nutrients. Macro algae will do the same job.

 

[TheEngineer]

I agree regarding macroalgae. I used to dose phyto to support a greater pod population. My cyano got worse when I stopped dosing phyto.

 

[mitch91175]

I agree regarding macroalgae. I used to dose phyto to support a greater pod population. My cyano got worse when I stopped dosing phyto.

Yes macro does the same thing for sure. But when I am thinking about my overall system, my ultimate goal is to hopefully one day be to have all live food culture. I also have macro algae that does extremely well. Crazy that you noticed the same thing when you stop dosing phyto. I wholeheartedly believe in using the phytoplankton for obviously reasons, but if it also helps keep certain types of algae at bay like cyano, people have kinda given it a bad rap because they either aren't doing some of the other things that go along with having a success reef.

 

[mitch91175]

From a quick read through the paper, grazing of phytoplankton reduces its levels & cyano can proliferate due to less competition for nutrients (nitrogen & phosphate).
For phyto to out compete cyano in the aquarium you would need living phyto, to photosynthesise & take up the nutrients. Macro algae will do the same job.

Yes I use living phytoplankton. Culture it myself.

 

[saltgeek1]

Just stumbled across this posting and I have been dealing with red cyanobacteria for the past twelve months (feels like ten years). The main reason I started to search on this topic was due in part to the results I have witnessed today. My red cyano is dying off.

I started to dose Algae Barn's OceanMagik @ the recommended dose. I will update this thread in a few days.

 

[Drew1900]

Just stumbled across this posting and I have been dealing with red cyanobacteria for the past twelve months (feels like ten years). The main reason I started to search on this topic was due in part to the results I have witnessed today. My red cyano is dying off.

I started to dose Algae Barn's OceanMagik @ the recommended dose. I will update this thread in a few days.

What’s your current results?

 

[Kenneth Wingerter]

or phyto AND macro

Phytoplankton, Macroalgae, or BOTH?

As marine aquarists, we might think of algae as being divided into three (maybe four) distinct categories: the benthic (i.e. bottom-dwelling) microalgae,

www.algaebarn.com

 

[Reefing102]

I’m testing this theory on my tank. I had both dinos and Cyano. The dinos started dying out prior to my live phyto arriving so I can’t attribute dosing it to that. As far as Cyano goes, I have not seen it get worse but I haven’t been doing much manual removal either. Where I do disturb it, it does not seem to be growing back. I got my live phyto on here from @Eldredge. Can I guarantee that the phyto is out competing, no. But that’s the only change I’ve made recently. No lighting changes. I have a refugium full of cheato too but still had the Cyano issue with it (but I didn’t give it much time so it may be a combo thing). Sorry it’s inconclusive but I do believe it helps out compete

 

[saltgeek1]

What’s your current results?

Sorry for the very late response, I totally got rid of the cyanobacteria and decided to stop dosing for the past few months and just like magic it started again. I have a new shipment coming in from Algae Barn, then I will look into growing my own.

 

[Drew1900]

Sorry for the very late response, I totally got rid of the cyanobacteria and decided to stop dosing for the past few months and just like magic it started again. I have a new shipment coming in from Algae Barn, then I will look into growing my own.

Nice! I introduced and have maintained a healthy copepod and amphipod population and it’s had nothing but a positive effect on the tank. I dose phyto every day and their population has stayed steady for the last 6+ months.

 

[I3rendangalloway]

Bumping this thread as I systematically go through various cyano-combatting techniques.

 

[ElectricEel]

wish there was more conversation around this, i have the worst, Red, Blue, AND green cyno and Dino! it grows FAST, try within an hour after blowing it off the rock, it has choked out my ACANS, and i am now throwing the gauntlet at it!

My cause was a Overflowing Protein skimmer that already has a half-full concentration of crap in it, stuff starting dying in my tank left and right. i checked all parameters, everything was good except my nitrates were bottomed out. and Phos 0.01, i tried raising it with Ammonium, and oh jesus everything got so much worse. i am now going to have to do all the things:

1) Black out - 2 days
2) ChemiClean - 2 days
3) NeoNitro - Raise nitrates to 15-20ppm at least
4) Microbactor 7 - Same time as nitrates
5) The trifecta of PhytoPlankton! from Reef genetics that i also plan to grow my own of

Let me know if i should change anything, or any general suggestions or thoughts! I'll try and keep you guys posted if anyone wants.

 

[1ocean]

this was all interesting...

 

[56longroof]

wish there was more conversation around this, i have the worst, Red, Blue, AND green cyno and Dino! it grows FAST, try within an hour after blowing it off the rock, it has choked out my ACANS, and i am now throwing the gauntlet at it!

My cause was a Overflowing Protein skimmer that already has a half-full concentration of crap in it, stuff starting dying in my tank left and right. i checked all parameters, everything was good except my nitrates were bottomed out. and Phos 0.01, i tried raising it with Ammonium, and oh jesus everything got so much worse. i am now going to have to do all the things:

1) Black out - 2 days
2) ChemiClean - 2 days
3) NeoNitro - Raise nitrates to 15-20ppm at least
4) Microbactor 7 - Same time as nitrates
5) The trifecta of PhytoPlankton! from Reef genetics that i also plan to grow my own of

Let me know if i should change anything, or any general suggestions or thoughts! I'll try and keep you guys posted if anyone wants.

Just out of curiosity. Did you do a dry rock start?

 

[ElectricEel]

Just out of curiosity. Did you do a dry rock start?

From the beginning? No. I got all the innards from a two year old tank, sand, water. My cyano breakout happened when my sump overflowed. Its all gone now though.