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[Samala]

I think cyano if fuges tends to be driven mainly by having too low of a flow through the fuge, which allows detritus to accumulate and breakdown on the sandbed's surface. Creates a great environment for the slime. Having good turnover in the fuge will help prevent this.

Honestly one inch of sand is fine for Caulerpa. They aren't picky and can get plenty of 'nutrition' from the water column.

>Sarah

 

[dalbrecht]

Cyano's weakness is phosphates and flow. You can't readily control it by limiting nitrates, You need to focus on these and not nitrates to control it.

 

[Aquariumist]

would a phosban reactor, and powerhead fix teh problem?

 

[Aquariumist]

what chemicals should be dosed for caulerpa?

 

[graveyardworm]

With regular feeding and water changes it should get everything it needs. However if you want, dosing iron wouldnt hurt. Make sure to get a test kit and follow the dosing recommendations, too much iron is bad.

 

[Samala]

I would focus on making sure the plants have what they need to grow, a little nitrate isnt a terrible thing, good flow, good light, etc. David suggested iron, thats definitely an option here, see the stickie in this forum "Forum Favorites", there are some threads on iron dosing. Randy also has an excellent article on it thats linked in those threads.

Once the plants are growing well they should naturally bring down your phosphate levels and decrease the chances cyano will form again. Personally I'd leave the phosphate reactor as a last resort, but thats just me and my graduate student budget talking.

>Sarah

 

[Aquariumist]

as for the iron, could I add it to my drip system, so that when water drips in to replace evaporated water it would add iron also?

 

[Aquariumist]

does iron and kalkwasser mix? or do i need a separate drip system?

 

[graveyardworm]

The easiest way is to just add it to your sump in a single dose either daily or weekly however you decide to do it.