Black hair like algae or cyano

[Lucky Lefty]

This has recently begun to grow on my sand bed. I've sucked it up twice and it came right back. My siphon isn't that good and it stugales to sucks almost anything up. I felt I did more mixing than removing last time.

Should I start running gfo, and if so do I need to start supplementing if I do?

It looks evil.
Black hair like algae: http://youtu.be/dab2Oo8v6g8

 

[Sk8r]

CUrious stuff. I've looked it up and get answers from 'it's cyano' to 'it's hydrogen sulfide' The first is not a real problem. The second is poisonous.

Test to see if it reacts like cyano: leave your lights off for 36 to 48 hours. Won't bother the fish. You can feed. If the black sort of goes away, it's cyano, and you can treat it with a 3-day lights-out monthly.

If it doesn't diminish, resume normal tank operation take a net and very, very carefully lift a little to the surface and smell it. If it smells like rotten eggs, it's hydrogen sulphide, and that's a more difficult fix. Getting critters to police the sandbed is much harder if you have a puffer going after them.

One thing I note is that you have a 150 gallon tank with only 55 lbs of live rock. That's a third of what you need, despite the relatively low fish load, and that might be one source of problems with waste. How are your nitrates running?

 

[Lucky Lefty]

Holy crap my nitrates are through the roof. Over 80ppm, possibly close to 120 ppm according to my api test kit.

Haven't tested in about 2 weeks :/

Making salt water now for a water change ASAP.

 

[Lucky Lefty]

I do want to get more rock.. I've been keeping my eyes peeled for some nice pieces at my lfs.

I just did a 35 gallon water change. Tested water 5 minutes after and nitrates are still high.. I'd say about 80ppm according to api test kit.

Going to do another 35 gallon water change tomorrow as well as change out my filter sock that has been in the dump approx 1.5 weeks.
I also need to thoroughly clean my skimmer with a vinegar bath.
Hoping to have my nitrates under 20 in a couple days.

 

[Sk8r]

Yeow! Definitely. See if you can get them under 10, even better, and the live rock will definitely help you toward that.
Test not only your nitrate, but your alkalinity: keep that around 8.3-9.3.

 

[Lucky Lefty]

Checked my nitrates when I got home.. test is showing between 20 and 40 ppm nitrates. This due to last night's 35 gallon water change, replacing the sock filter last night and thoroughly cleaning the skimmer collection cup.

I have alkalinity strip tests, alrhough severly expired, they read my alkalinity at 300, this being "ideal" according to the strip bottle. Definitely don't trust it, going to buy individual kits soon for various parameters.

Currently have 40 gallons of new salt water mixed up, ju st waiting for it to get to 80 degrees and then doing a 40 gallon water change.

Edit:
also I've gone lights out beginning this morning, plan on keeping lights out for 3 days. From what I see, the black hair like algae seems to be hurting from the lack of light. Hopefully this is the ticket.
thanks sk8r

 

[Lucky Lefty]

Sk8r good news, day 2 of lights out and the black Symbiote looking matter (see Marvel Comics) seems to be almost wiped out. Which is actually great news!

I was starting to expect looking in the tank to see my puffer wearing a black Spider-Man suit. Hopefully by tomorrow it's completely gone.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Sk8r]

Great. For that alk test, I use Salifert, dead easy to do. It produces results on the DKH scale, as well as the meql. I think DKh is a lot easier to use. Try to hit 8.3, and if you can't, water changes should help, not to mention a little buffer. Because you're a fish-only, you won't have the calcium consumption that us reefers have to supplement.

 

[Lucky Lefty]

Great. For that alk test, I use Salifert, dead easy to do. It produces results on the DKH scale, as well as the meql. I think DKh is a lot easier to use. Try to hit 8.3, and if you can't, water changes should help, not to mention a little buffer. Because you're a fish-only, you won't have the calcium consumption that us reefers have to supplement.

No longer fish only with my GSP in the tank. And i am trying to prepare my tank for a bunch of different coral frags.

Going to look into the salifert Alk test ASAP.

Right now my nitrates are sitting at 40ppm for the past 2 days. Thats after the initial 35 gallon wc, then a 40 gallon wc the next day. Didnt see a large difference after the 40 gallon change so im going to wait a week before another water change.

Black hair like matter almost completely gone today. Brand new actinic bulbs came in today.. cant wait to fire them up tomorrow AM.

 

[crusoe]

Glad to hear things seem to be clearing up for you. Gotta stay on top of testing and maintenance!

 

[Lucky Lefty]

Glad to hear things seem to be clearing up for you. Gotta stay on top of testing and maintenance!

Definitely noted! This has taught me I need to be more diligent with sock filter replacement and water changes. It's also showing me how bad I need more live rock.