Potassium Permanganate

mfindell · #1 07/14/2004, 09:41 PM

I have a slight problem with Cyano in one of my tanks. I have strong current, a good skimmer and a good power compact on it. I can give details if needed for some background. But my main question is; Does anyone use or have they used Potassium Permanganate as an additive to help controle Cyano in their system. The tank is set up in my wifes Barbershop and is exposed to a large window. I have cut the light cycle back to compensate for strong afternoon rays and it has helped somewhat. I read a piece of an article on the (PP), but it went into very little detail. Any thoughts on this problem? Will be glad to give full details on set-up and back ground if needed to further assess the problem. Thanks

Randy Holmes-Farley · #2 07/15/2004, 07:03 AM

IMO, using permanganate to treat cyano is a very poor practice. It works by oxidizing organics in the water and on the cyano itself, but it also oxidizes the organic surfaces of every living organism in the aquarium, from bacteria to corals to fish.

joe findell · #3 07/15/2004, 02:17 PM

What would be your suggestion for treatment and further prevention? I'm sure everyone has their own process, but I would like any input you can give. I will be starting a rather large project by the end of this year (600 to 800 total system gallons) and want to be sure I get it right. Also any recomendations for specific problem areas in large systems would be great. Also not sure this is the right forum for this topic. Any suggestions?

Randy Holmes-Farley · #4 07/15/2004, 02:39 PM

The ways to reduce cyano, short of antibiotics and such, are to decrease nutritents, decrease organics (skimming, carbon, etc), and increase water motion.

Here are some threads on the topic from this forum:

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=345850

here's a permanganate thread:

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=295803