Cyano Outbreak

SB= Special Blend, which is the bacterial product produced by Microbe-Lift that we've been discussing since the beginning of this thread.
 
I did the whole special blend program with no luck getting rid of the Cyano. It only grows on my hard corals and none in the sand or gravel. I am soooo frustrated.
 
Cyano Outbreak

I too have cyano on my rocks and acros but not on my sand bed. I did a full treatment of special blend too and didnt have any results. I finally reverted back adding red slime remover. Although many say its very unsafe, i really dont know what else to do.
 
I'm sorry to hear that it hasn't worked out for you guys.. I continue to have a very good experience with SB. I have not seen Cyano return since it cleared up. But I will stress again that you have to be diligent about about siphoning what you can see out and blowing what's attached to your rock and/or corals into the water column with a turkey baster or small powerhead. Once it is in the water column, I used my fish net to grab it out as it circulated and my filter sock would catch the rest.. If you keep this regiment up along with regular water changes, you will have success. Remember to turn your your Ozone or UV off for at least three days after each dose so that the bacteria can take hold...
 
Hi All,
Just about to give Special Blend a try in my tank. I'm hoping my experience is like most of yours - rather than plankton99 and jayblock whom it didn't seem to work for...

I bought it today but not sure if I should add it until after my 3 day trip this weekend. Think there are any risks (I know it's just beneficial bacteria, but could it cause a bacteria bloom or anything)? Should I use a smaller initial dose since I won't be here, then dose more when I return?

Also, I don't dose Vodka or anything - just skim, run carbon, phosguard, and purigen in a reactor, and have a bit of chaeto in a basket in the tank. I'm too nervous to dose vodka (and it sounds like a lot of work - finding the right amounts and dosing daily). NO3 and PO4 test at 0 anyway. Think there are there any risks in adding Special Blend without a carbon source?

FYI, my tank is a 5-month old 65g Red Sea Max with upgraded skimmer. I have 4 fish, small feedings, and no substantial algae, but the cyano's been present for over a month... :( Thanks,
--Kyle
 
I would use the full dose.. If you were already dosing a bacterial source, I would suggest cutting back a bit. I think you will be fine as along as you follow the regiment.. Make sure your turn off UV or ozone for 72 hours following dosing.
 
Thanks for the advice Jonathan. I just left town though. I added 30 mL and thought I'd add 30 when I get back on Monday (recommends 60 for my tank). No UV or Ozone in my tank - just carbon, gfo, skimmer, and some chaeto. Wish me luck! Take care,
--Kyle
 
jackson6745 said:
Thanks for the info Jon. I have no idea what's going on here. I am basically losing my tank. I have recession from the base up on half of my corals. I am going to run a bunch of carbon to see if that helps. I am not going to do anymore water changes because I have already done a ridiculous amount and I did not see any change.
This sucks!
Click to expand...


Cyano gone, tank better :). I guess that SB really works.....or it could have been the GFO and refigium that I added:fun4:
 
Good to hear Richard, thanks for sharing. I'm hoping I have the same results! The cyano isn't nearly as bad in my tank as I've seen on others - but I hope it never gets that way! Take care,
--Kyle
 
Ive used 2 bottle of Sb and no results. I just did a 50% ater change after really scrubbing the rocks and shifting the sand at the edge of the glass a bit. This seems to be working.... crossing my fingers.
 
jackson6745 said:
Cyano gone, tank better :). I guess that SB really works.....or it could have been the GFO and refigium that I added:fun4:
Click to expand...


Fantastic news Rich! Have you posted any updated pics lately? I ran out of SB a little over a month back and I'm noticing a little Cyano coming back on my rocks.. Just started back my regiment this weekend.. Originally, I too tried a lot of different things at the same time to help rid the tank of Cyano and I have continued doing those things. The only thing that changed was the fact that ran out of SB. So, I'm back on it. This time, I purchased enough to keep me stocked for a while...
 
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Hi All,
I know some have reported increased cyano when Special Blend is first used. I'm just wondering if anyone knows why that is? Do you think some of the bacteria are already dead and serve as a food source for the cyano until the living bacteria take over? Or does the bottle include a lot of food for the bacteria that also feeds the cyano once it's first added? Just curious what you think... Take care,
--Kyle
 
I wonder if it increases Cyano or does SB just accelerate the life cycle of the Cyano.. Good question, I would love to know the answer too. I may send a query to the Microbe Lift..
 
Does anyone know whats causing these cyano outbreaks? My outbreak is massive coats everything sand and rocks. I'm ready to go barebottom, its gotta be from the stuff settled in the sand. It seems like the stuff you guys are talking about is just a temporary fix without actually getting to the root of the problem.
 
I don't think that's quite true as it's building up beneficial bacteria that takes the place of what the cyano is doing (both breaking down nitrates). Cyano is supposed to be caused by high nitrates / phosphates, but in my tank I've never had a measurable amount of nitrate or phosphate. I think silicate may be a source too (???), but don't have a test for that.

I'm using Special Blend - have added the 2nd dose last Friday. So far cyano is getting worse, but it sounds like that's what often happens when using Special Blend (worse before it gets better). Take care,
--Kyle
 
For years there would be literally dozens of threads on RC & MR where reefers would suffer from cyano and I would tell them to use SB and was basically dismissed so I stopped making my comments most of the time
Click to expand...
warren i hear ya, i started pushing the product on MR also and now it seem's alot of guys are starting to use it, i had sat down with the reps at macna and went in knowing a little about the product and was happy to have a convo with them, they did reccomend that when dosing to add it to the new saltwater mix and let it airiate in there first, i had cycled my tank with it and nite out 2 and still occasionally dose my tank with t
 
Folks,

I sent in a query to MicobeLift asking if they could explain the common experience of cyano getting worse after the fisrt dose. I went further by explaining that most using it properly have had great results and thanked them for such an amazing product. I will post their response when I receive it.
 
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