Cyano and caulerpa help

[brycek]

I am looking for some help/advice. I have a 34g setup with 10g refugium and recently I have run into a major cyano problem. I have been using a baster to blow the cyano off the rocks every other day and a 10-15g water change every week. I just feel like it is a loosing battle. Also now I have caulerpa growing like crazy on the rocks as well. In my refugium I have chaeto not caulerpa. I don't know where the caulerpa came from or how to get rid of it. I am just at a complete loss as to what to do with both issues. Part of me wants to pull all of the rock and sand and start over from scratch but don't think I can afford that much rock right now.

 

[Mitsuko]

As far as the cyano thats normal in a new tank. It's part of the cycle. To reduce it just increase flow in the areas where its appearing. Cyano loves low flow. Depending on how much rock you have I'd just take it out and pick the pieces off with tweezers and then finalize the cleaning with a toothbrush.

 

[fodupos]

another thing that can help is 3 days with no lights on your tank... it won't hurt your tank as out in the ocean you have days where it storms and little light reaches the reef...

 

[superstein61]

How long has the tank been running? What type of water are you using (ie tap, RO/DI, ?)

I agree with the comments about increased flow, and doing a 3 day lightout if need be.

Also, how old are your bulbs. When I had my 37g, I would sometimes get a cyano outbreak when the bulbs aged.

Finally, on the caulpera, if you do reach the point of really wanting to pull all the rock and sand and starting over, there are things you can do to "kill" the rock and then re-use it as base rock. But I would do that as a last resort

 

[brycek]

My aquarium has been up and running since October 2007. I am using a 5 stage RO/DI unit TDS reads 0. My lights were replaced about 4 months ago. I have a Red Sea Max aquarium which has the pumps on left side and I have a korali on the right side of the aquarium to help redirect the flow.
I think on Sunday I will do a 10g water change scrub the rock and try and pull out all of the rock that the caulerpa is on and see if I can kill it.

 

[superstein61]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14450532#post14450532 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brycek

and try and pull out all of the rock that the caulerpa is on and see if I can kill it.

If you are going to do this, what I would suggest is putting the rock in a separate container with a powerful pump and a mix of water (just regular water - not saltwater) and bleach. Let it circulate for at least 24 hours (48 if you can) so the bleach can kill the caulerpa. Empty the water, and add fresh water and baking soda - let circulate for 24 hours. Empty and add a batch of freshly mixed salt water, some dechlorinator and let circulate for a couple days.

Your rock should be wiped clean of all the algae, etc. Of course it will also be wiped clean of all good organisms which make it live rock, but as long as you have some other LR in your tank, it will re-seed itself

 

[Aqua-World PITT]

There is Cyano medicine. It will get rid of it in 24 hours. Completely reef-safe!