are there any snails that will clear up cyano

an411 · #1 01/09/2008, 10:22 AM

I am taking care of my high nitrates and just ordered a phosban reactor to help with my cyano. Are there any type of snails that will take care of this stuff as far as getting it off my rock?

Neptune420 · #2 01/09/2008, 12:24 PM

nerites, ceriths, conchs

Shooter7 · #3 01/09/2008, 12:31 PM

I've got ceriths and conchs and never seen them even touch cyano. Nor do I know of any snails that will eat cyano. And even if there were, if you don't fix what's causing the cyano to begin with, it will just keep coming back. If you fix the cause, you can blow or suction out what's left and it will stay gone.

rick12 · #4 01/09/2008, 12:39 PM

shooter7, what do you consider to be the cause and how do you fix it? thanks

an411 · #5 01/09/2008, 12:40 PM

I am working on the fix currently and have snails but you are right shooter they do not touch the cyano

an411 · #6 01/09/2008, 12:42 PM

Rick what I am doing to help control it is more frequent and larger water changes as well as feeding a little less. I believe the casuse for me is my high nitrates and theat is what I am trying to lower now. I am also installing a phosban reactor cause I have heard those things work wonders. HTH

Shooter7 · #7 01/09/2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rick12
shooter7, what do you consider to be the cause and how do you fix it? thanks

Cyano is pretty common in new tanks, and usually goes away as things settle in. If you have continuing problems with cyano it could be due to a number of things, or a combination of that number, including stocking levels, feeding amounts, flow, detritus buildup, etc. All of these things lend to a buildup of nutrients that feed stuff like cyano and nuisance algae. To help battle it, I suggest stocking lightly, feeding a homemade food instead of processed foods, good strong flow to keep waste kicked up and in the water column so that it can get to your skimmer (if it's laying on the bottom of your tank it doesn't matter how great your skimmer is if the waste isn't getting to it), and blowing detritus off of your live rock at least once a month with a turkey baster (I do mine right before water changes). An addition of a PO4 reactor is a help as well. These are the kinds of things I've seen in my own tank that helped, as well as in other tanks I've seen locally to me and on RC. HTH

Sk8r · #8 01/09/2008, 01:07 PM

Keep tank away from daylight, curtain windows, etc. Try turning the lights out 3 days, 4th day actinic only, once a month. A fuge also helps.

nmhs2 · #9 01/09/2008, 01:26 PM

turning lights of 3-4 days, could this have negative effects on corals?

dileggi · #10 01/09/2008, 01:33 PM

I believe that a seahare heats cyano and eats a lot of it! But, I also believe it's kind of "expert only" to keep and that it can also release toxins into the water if it gets stressed.

I thought I also read that some type of conch eats cyano as well...maybe tonga fighting conch? But, I'm not sure nor do I know how big a tank you need to keep one.

Shooter7 · #11 01/09/2008, 01:43 PM

I have never heard of a sea hare eating it, but cannot speak from experience that it doesn't....so would have to research that.

I have two fighting conchs in my tank and back when i had a little cyano I never saw them touch it.

stingythingy45 · #12 01/09/2008, 01:48 PM

There's nothing other than the red footed conch that will eat cyano.And for all I know that could be a snipe.lol
Two Hydo Koralia #4 are not enough IME.

dileggi · #13 01/09/2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shooter7
I have never heard of a sea hare eating it, but cannot speak from experience that it doesn't....so would have to research that.

I have two fighting conchs in my tank and back when i had a little cyano I never saw them touch it.

Hey shooter,

I wish I could remember where I think I read that. I could be wrong. I've never had either of the two, so I have no experience either way.

I read it on the web some place. I'll try and google it. I have no idea if it's true or not.

nanotrigger · #14 01/09/2008, 01:49 PM

turkey baster snail and the suction hose counch cleans it up.
do more water changes...

Shooter7 · #15 01/09/2008, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nanotrigger
turkey baster snail and the suction hose counch cleans it up.

an411 · #16 01/09/2008, 01:57 PM

stingythingy45 you think that I need more flow 2 hydors are not enough?

dileggi · #17 01/09/2008, 01:58 PM

Shooter and everyone else - I just tried to find where I read the info on the sea hare and fighting conch. I can't find anything. I know before I had found this site and had my cyano cycle, I must have googled cyano and stuff like that. I'm sure I probably just read someone's "opinion" thread on another site. Sorry for the undocumented info. I have no clue if it's true or not.

Shooter7 · #18 01/09/2008, 02:04 PM

an411, I don't have any experience with the hydors, so I'm not sure how effective they are at moving water. I have a pair of Tunze 6060's in my 120g (1600 gph), along with my return and a couple smaller powerheads in there, and I wouldn't mind having a little more flow at times.

stingythingy45 · #19 01/09/2008, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by an411
stingythingy45 you think that I need more flow 2 hydors are not enough?

Yeah,I think 2 Koralia #4s are good for a 55-75 gallon.It's a very wide flow that disperses rather quickly.
But for a 120 gallon,definitely go with at least one or two more #4s.

nanotrigger · #20 01/09/2008, 02:14 PM

how old is your tank???

reefhead165 · #21 01/09/2008, 02:20 PM

Snails cause cyno for me. So after all the snail died i got hermit crabs and a bi color blenny and OD Chemi clean and it worked

nanotrigger · #22 01/09/2008, 02:22 PM

i thought my frag tank had cyano issues but it was just part of the cycle. a couple of weeks later it was all gone. no cleanup crew, just flow

serum153 · #23 01/09/2008, 02:40 PM

I wouldn't suggest a #4 in a 55 as my # 3 is a little to much for my lps. If it is sps only, then obviously you can't go wrong witht the # 4. I can't wait to get a 75 due the the 55 being soooo narrow. I am currently running a k3, 3 mj1200's and my flow is a little too much for my corals, but the 75 will be here shortly.

an411 · #24 01/09/2008, 02:48 PM

The tank is about 6 months old

stingythingy45 I think that the flow is good the only thing I think I am considering getting is one for behind the rock facing toward the front of the tank I think that is where there may be a dead spot cause I have a problem with the #4's blowing my sand as is and they are as high as i can get them on the sides.

JohnnyM2 · #25 01/09/2008, 02:53 PM

After you have eliminated all the cause of cyano, you may need to treat it if it is severe. A product called Red Slime Remover works well and safely if you follow the instructions.