Cynobacteria Red Slime

techrach · #1 09/18/2006, 09:31 PM

I have Cynobacteria Starting to take over my back wall and LR. What should I do to rid my tank of it. I checked all levels today.
SG 1.025
PH 8.0
Alk 8.5 DKH
Cal 340
Nitrate less than 5 ppm
Phosphate 0 ppm
I heard somewhere that raising the Alk high will kill it.
I have 5 Maxijet 1200 in my 75 gal tank.
and moderate lighting. about 300 WATTS 50/50

jfolley67 · #2 09/18/2006, 10:40 PM

I can tell you that I dealt with the cyano for several months.....even now on occasion I have one small area in the tank that gets some but it stays in control now unlike before. The first thing I did was change my bulbs in my lights.....the second thing I did was feed every other day instead of every day, and this is where I did see the most notable difference, however I think it was a combination of these things...that finally got it controlled. good luck!

jon575 · #3 09/18/2006, 10:48 PM

remove carbon out of tank if you have any....use chemi-clean just as it says to.....after that do a 10 to 20 percent water change and syphon any remaining and then use carbon to remove any remaining aount in the water column and turn off your skimmer during this time...it will go crazy......turn it back once the carbon has removed the chemi clean (1 week or two) and add anything that will stir up the bottom....starfish,conchs and hermits

DMBillies · #4 09/19/2006, 12:28 AM

I've mostly run into problems with cyano when I haven't stayed on top of cleaning out filter media that has trapped a lot of gunk. Whether it be a HOB filter, a skimmer return with a spongy media on the return, or even just forgetting to take out a filter sock for more than a couple of days after cleaning my big tank. Now I make every attempt to avoid constantly using these types of filters and only hook them up when I'm cleaning the tank and need to clear up the water afterward. I don't know what kind of equipment your running, but before you spend money on new bulbs or put chemicals in your reef, you might want to try removing anything that could be trapping detritus (or at least make sure that you thoroughly clean them often).

jfolley67 · #5 09/19/2006, 04:54 AM

yes, I do agree with DMBILLIES, check all you have going first. I did that before I did the bulbs and such. however, if you have a mechanical filtration also check and make sure that this is cleaned out and running smooth....I have had run slow and get issues as well like if the hose is kinked and can't run full potential. This happens and more gunk trapped but can't run through system well. I have done chemi clean many times...works great for about 2 days but then cyano is back just like before. seems to be a temporary fix which makes sense if problem originally causing still persists. I did add a grazing starfish, but he is slow around the sand. The chemi clean I think was hard on my bubble coral also after multiple weeks of dosing.

greystreet41 · #6 09/19/2006, 07:36 AM

as stated above, chemi clean works like a charm...it certainly doesn't address the root of the problem so it may come back but I've used it twice and not had flare ups thereafter....it usually pops up in dead spots and if I was skipping water changes....

techrach · #7 09/19/2006, 08:58 AM

Thanks for all the advice. I have not cleaned the canister filter in about 4 weeks. It appears to be running at normal flow but I will clean it today anyway. I recently had a cycle could this be the cause? If so will it go away with no nitrate and phosphate?

Pickupman66 · #8 09/19/2006, 01:42 PM

I am fighting a bit of it right,a nd it is realy resilient. I test zero on both nitrates and phosphates. must just be that it is using it as fasst as I can get it removed. it is a delicate balance. mine tends to appear in a fairly high flow area of the bottom. go figure.