erythro vs cyano

[sea student]

My tank is a 90 gallon with about 20 more gallons in the sump. It has been running about 3 years. I had a "red slime" outbreak a while back that ran its course and went away with water changes, etc. This time however, it just didn't want to go away and I decided to try erythromycin after a lot of reading on reef central.
Two days ago, I dosed the tank with 600mg of powder. I left the protein skimmer off a couple hours, then turned on low one day, now almost back up to normal.
So far the tank is looking much better. The only remaining slime has turned brown and is coming apart. I'm syphoning as much off as possible. Should I do the repeat dose, or leave it at just one? I've seen a lot of conflicting recommendations. Just once, 5 days in a row, or two doses 48 hours apart.

 

[sea student]

I added some before and after medication photos. Please check out my gallery.

 

[Ocicat]

I think I am developing cyano and was thinking of using erythromycin to combat it. However, I had one concern - Would this have any negative effect on the tank's beneficial bacteria?

 

[rekn]

whered you get that stuff?

 

[sea student]

The cyanobacteria, or the erythromycin? If the medication, then I got it at Petsmart in 200 mg packets..10 for about $15. The dose is much lower than what the package says...I read to use 200 mg per 30 gallons, the box says per 10 gallons. There are lots of threads on using erythromycin...pretty hotly debated and not something I took lightly. The common tradenames are Maracyn or "Red Slime Remover". Mine just said erythromycin on the package.

 

[azgard]

Do a search on cyanobacteria and the use of erythromycin.
I believe you will find, it is very probable that the cyano will return.

 

[sea student]

I know this is definitely a shortcut, but I am making some other changes that I hope will help prevent it from coming back. It has helped me get rid of the negative attitude I was starting to have toward my tank. Definitely got me moving in the right direction again.

 

[sea student]

Almost 2 weeks and everything is going well so far. No sign of red slime. My new, much better attitude has caused me to work harder on my tank. I added an auto top off system, so the protein skimmer should work more efficiently now. I also added new T5 lighting, but doubt that will help with cyano. My next purchase will probably be a Tunze 6060, thanks to advice here on RC.

 

[chad508]

i have used erthro. on alot of tanks with cyno. it always knocks out the cyno and from my experiences it will knock it out just long enough to allow the tank to cycle and be able to control it on its own. i dosed my personal 180 about 18 months ago and have had no cyno since. i also dose new tanks that i set up for customers. it saves me from having to explain why the tank looks so bad for the first few months. it will kill off some good stuff as well, but i have yet had a bad outcome.

 

[sea student]

I wanted to update the thread to be scientific and fair. The cyano is trying to creep back into the tank at the 3 week mark. I have done a couple water changes to try to keep it down. I also added an auto top off system so that the protein skimmer is at a constant level as well as salinitey. My lights got upgraded from NO fluorescents to a T5 setup. The cyano is only a few strands right now, but definitely worsening. I think I need to upgrade my tank circulation and will do that asap. Not planning to redose the erythromycin for now. Will try the patient method this time. No regrets though, it was inspirational to see my tank looking good the last few weeks. Got my back on track.

 

[daytonians]

I fought cyano for months, well actually more like a year. I did all the stuff recommended on here with no luck. What finally fixed the problem was run lots (and I mean lots) of carbon. Carbon absorbs organic phosphate. Phos-ban helps also, because it absorbs the inorganic phosphate. Most of the problem is usually from organic phosphate though.

I use a Fluval 304. All the media chambers are filled with Black Diamond carbon and a few table-spoons of Phos-ban. Start running something like that. Turn your light off for 2 to 3 days straight. ( I actually covered most of my tank with aluminum foil to block off light )

I bet it will be gone when you turn the lights back on, and not come back unless you forget to chance the carbon.

Don't believe all the stories about carbon causing phosphates. Good quality carbon like Black Diamond will not.

 

[sea student]

It's been six weeks since I dosed the erythromycin and things are going pretty well. I had thought the cyano was creeping back at 3 wks, but now I think it might be something new. I have long very tough strands of a brown substance. It is not nearly as much as the cyano, but I have to clean it off regularly. The rockwork looks great, the stringy stuff sticks to the acrylic and the return pipe. I have added running carbon and a new powerhead also. What do you think the brown strings are? Some of them have gotten over a foot long.

 

[burnzo01]

i have the same junk. mine is maroon colored though. im not sure if its cyano or not. im also very frustrated with it at this point.