Cyano Bacteria.

[lifeoffaith]

I have eliminated a pretty bad cyano outbreak by washing the pieces of liverock it was on with freshwater, and also limiting light. Of course, you can take out some of the good stuff by washing with freshwater. I know this can be easier said than done if the rocks are on the bottom of the tank or if it is on the glass. I have also kept it in check by siphoning as suggested above, but I can't answer the why question you asked.

 

[rlm2005]

Why are you feeding the tank if there are no fish in it? Siphon it out with water changes, it's not uncommon to have a small break out in newer tanks. Increase the flow and see if that helps.

 

[coralsnaked]

Yours is a newer tank if I remember correctly and just a phase I would imagine. Sounds like you are doing what needs to be done. But good reporting, ehh!

 

[Sk8r]

To really understand cyano, google the stuff. It's quite amazing: see: Permian extinction, Shark Bay, et al.

 

[jason2459]

On a side note what are you using to check your salinity levels and when did you last calibrate it? What salinity level is your tank at? What are you using for a saltmix? With calcium, magnesium, and alk all being elevated and assuming you are not dosing anything I would suspect higher levels of salinity.

 

[FraggledRock]

On a side note what are you using to check your salinity levels and when did you last calibrate it? What salinity level is your tank at? What are you using for a saltmix? With calcium, magnesium, and alk all being elevated and assuming you are not dosing anything I would suspect higher levels of salinity.

I am using ocean water (which may be contributing to the nutrients) I collect from the ocean.

Salinity is believe it or not 1.026 =P I use 3 hydrometers and get it tested at an LFS with a refractometer monthly.

 

[FraggledRock]

To really understand cyano, google the stuff. It's quite amazing: see: Permian extinction, Shark Bay, et al.

Its why we have oxygen!! =P

 

[FraggledRock]

Why are you feeding the tank if there are no fish in it? Siphon it out with water changes, it's not uncommon to have a small break out in newer tanks. Increase the flow and see if that helps.

I still have to keep my clean up crew alive,my corals, my pods etc. lol

 

[jason2459]

I am using ocean water (which may be contributing to the nutrients) I collect from the ocean.

Salinity is believe it or not 1.026 =P I use 3 hydrometers and get it tested at an LFS with a refractometer monthly.

Well, only problem I have with that practice or anyone suggesting to check with the lfs to mark a line off for their hydrometer is requiring one to trust that their LFS has their refractometer calibrated properly.

Though getting NSW I'd expect to be ~1.026 as long as no evaporation has occurred.

 

[jrp1588]

I am using ocean water (which may be contributing to the nutrients) I collect from the ocean.

Salinity is believe it or not 1.026 =P I use 3 hydrometers and get it tested at an LFS with a refractometer monthly.

3 hydrometers would have bought a decent refractometer and a bottle of calibration solution. haha. Wonder why natural sea water would test so high, I don't think you ever said what brand of test kit you use. Some are notoriously unreliable.

 

[rlm2005]

I still have to keep my clean up crew alive,my corals, my pods etc. lol

You said you have 3 small zoa frags, not exactly a huge amount of corals. The clean up crew will be fine as will the pods you don't need to be doing regular feedings with that at most a small pinch of flake.

 

[FraggledRock]

Yours is a newer tank if I remember correctly and just a phase I would imagine. Sounds like you are doing what needs to be done. But good reporting, ehh!

Thanks!

 

[FraggledRock]

You said you have 3 small zoa frags, not exactly a huge amount of corals. The clean up crew will be fine as will the pods you don't need to be doing regular feedings with that at most a small pinch of flake.

Thanks I guess I will drastically reduce feeding compared to what I was doing now lol

I guess I was just used to feeding the DT everyday LOL

 

[FraggledRock]

3 hydrometers would have bought a decent refractometer and a bottle of calibration solution. haha. Wonder why natural sea water would test so high, I don't think you ever said what brand of test kit you use. Some are notoriously unreliable.

True.

But I am addicted to buying new things LOL

I will be getting a refract soon though!

I Use ELOS for everything.

 

[jason2459]

True.

But I am addicted to buying new things LOL

I will be getting a refract soon though!

I Use ELOS for everything.

I would suggest either the veegee found at the filter guys or the vital sine found at doctor fosters and smith. Which they are the same refractometer just rebranded. Or the Milwaukee Digital Seawater Refractometer which can be found at Bulk Reef Supply. I have both and like both but find I use the vital sine more often.

 

[FraggledRock]

I would suggest either the veegee found at the filter guys or the vital sine found at doctor fosters and smith. Which they are the same refractometer just rebranded. Or the Milwaukee Digital Seawater Refractometer which can be found at Bulk Reef Supply. I have both and like both but find I use the vital sine more often.

Is it based on anything testing based? accuracy? ease of use?

 

[jrp1588]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/refractometer-for-reading-salinity-with-calibration-fluid.html

This is also a good option if you don't want to spend a bunch.

 

[jason2459]

Is it based on anything testing based? accuracy? ease of use?

All of the above for both. I check calibration on the vital sine with the 35ppt solution once a month and rarely have to adjust it. The Milwaukee I calibrate with ro/di water to 0 just before every use. I just find the vital sine easier to wipe clean and get done with faster. I've gone through a few cheap refractometers and they are either harder to read and need constant adjustment. The Vital Sine is very easy to read and consistent.

 

[FraggledRock]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/refractometer-for-reading-salinity-with-calibration-fluid.html

This is also a good option if you don't want to spend a bunch.

Thanks!

 

[morleyz]

All of the above for both. I check calibration on the vital sine with the 35ppt solution once a month and rarely have to adjust it. The Milwaukee I calibrate with ro/di water to 0 just before every use. I just find the vital sine easier to wipe clean and get done with faster. I've gone through a few cheap refractometers and they are either harder to read and need constant adjustment. The Vital Sine is very easy to read and consistent.

My ONLY gripe with the Milwaukee digital. Why did they make the cup so darned hard to dry out? I love the thing, but I think I spend more time cleaning it than actually measuring anything.