How To Rid Cyano And Other Pest Algaes
- Thread starter glaspak845
- Start date
Alaska_Phil
New member
What does bubble algae look like?
I'm converting a 40 gal FO tank to reef, and am getting a serious brown diatom bloom, with a little red slime and patches of green, yellow and finally some purple. But all my rocks have little 1 to 2mm bubbles in the algae. Is this a problem? I figured it was just a bit of new tank type symptom since I just changed a bunch of stuff.
Phil
I'm converting a 40 gal FO tank to reef, and am getting a serious brown diatom bloom, with a little red slime and patches of green, yellow and finally some purple. But all my rocks have little 1 to 2mm bubbles in the algae. Is this a problem? I figured it was just a bit of new tank type symptom since I just changed a bunch of stuff.
Phil
Hmm My filter is pumping 295 gallons per hour and my power head is pumping up to 356 gallons per hour but it is pumping at the minimum since if I do pump it at full 356 gallons per hour, it would make it hard for my fishes to swim and my shrimps had to hold on.
So I am assuming that the total volume is being pumped is over 350 gallons per hour which is more than 10 x tank volume for the circulation....however I am still having the serious green algae problem.
I am using the RO water as well as my water parameters are GREAT! Is it possible that my tank is too new ?
So I am assuming that the total volume is being pumped is over 350 gallons per hour which is more than 10 x tank volume for the circulation....however I am still having the serious green algae problem.
I am using the RO water as well as my water parameters are GREAT! Is it possible that my tank is too new ?
DrChaos619
New member
that looks alot like coraline
Alaska_Phil
New member
Cyano grows in sheets that lay loosely on the rocks and gravel. It's very easily sucked or blown off with a turkey baster.
I just got rid of it by medicating after 4 weeks of cleaning it out every night, now I'm dealing with the side effects of the medication.
Phil
I just got rid of it by medicating after 4 weeks of cleaning it out every night, now I'm dealing with the side effects of the medication.
Phil
Rustylugnuts
Powdered Toast Man
I agree with DrChaos619. Coraline is a desirable type, its growth can indicate that your calcium and strontium levels are good. Ive never noticed any other types of algae growing on top of the purple stuff so im guessing that enough of this stuff limits the real estate the hair and bubble algae can grow on. Cyanobacteria can grow on top of this and i have seen patches that were covered too long start to turn white or bleach. In other words i would say this rock is lookin good! :thumbsup:
BadOleRoss
New member
I used Maracyn (freshwater) to get rid of red slime algae in my 220. It cleared it out in about 3 days. Crush them up and add them to the tank. 1 tablet per 10 gallons.
Aimiel
New member
I agree with Fraggin, it looks like sponges, although it might be Coraline algae; so it is good, whichever it might be. Cyano algae (a bacteria) is usually magenta (deep red, almost burgundy in color) and can easily be sucked out. Not to be scrubbed, as earlier noted in this thread, because the more you disturb bacteria, the further they might spread. It won't be nearly as harmful as it looks, but does require sometimes drastic (chemical/medicinal) methods to remove completely.
leoslizards
New member
Did you use Maracyn? What was the side effect?
The most common side effects of medication is that it also kills off some of your beneficial bacteria which might even make your tank go through a mini cycle. Adding carbon and large water changes would get rid of the medication.
I could see how Maracyn works. Maracyn is an anti-bacterial medicine and Cyano is a bacteria correct?
I just recently removed the cyano buy stirring it up so that my hob filter could get it but now it's all over my sand. I covered my whole tank with a towel today and I'm leaving the lights off for two days then see if that help. I'm also going to the store to get a turkey baster so that I can suck most of it off. Should I still feed my fish or let them starve for two days?
leoslizards
New member
Well I just started today. I cover my tank because it's right next to a window. I don't own an actinic bulb. :| Do I still feed my fish or let them starve?
Nanz
Premium Member
Im not sure if I have Cyano anymore but I still get this brown dust that covers my sandbed. Please help if you can.
I have a 75 gallon tank with 30 gallon sump/refugium.
S.G. 1.025
pH = 8.0 - 8.1
Temp 79.5
PO4, NH3, NO2 = 0
NO3 = 5ppm
Ca = 410
Alk = 9dKH
Mg = 1400
I have a DSB and 100lbs of live rock.
I run Kalkwasser through a reactor.
Phosban, Carbon and UV filtration.
I had a reddish brown slime on my sandbed 3 weeks ago and used Chemi-clean to remove it. I also prior to using chemi clean syphoned the contaminated sandbed all the way to the bottom. I know this is not a good thing to do but I guess I had to see for myself. Well after running the treatment this brown dust that looks like a diatom is covering my sandbed. I could be wrong but it does not look like the red slime I had before.
I have tried everything to get rid of this brown dust. If I leave the lights off for 3 days its gone but its then back the following day with lights.
Am I still fighting cyano or is this a diatom issue? If it is diatom will it go away or is there something I need to do?
I have a 75 gallon tank with 30 gallon sump/refugium.
S.G. 1.025
pH = 8.0 - 8.1
Temp 79.5
PO4, NH3, NO2 = 0
NO3 = 5ppm
Ca = 410
Alk = 9dKH
Mg = 1400
I have a DSB and 100lbs of live rock.
I run Kalkwasser through a reactor.
Phosban, Carbon and UV filtration.
I had a reddish brown slime on my sandbed 3 weeks ago and used Chemi-clean to remove it. I also prior to using chemi clean syphoned the contaminated sandbed all the way to the bottom. I know this is not a good thing to do but I guess I had to see for myself. Well after running the treatment this brown dust that looks like a diatom is covering my sandbed. I could be wrong but it does not look like the red slime I had before.
I have tried everything to get rid of this brown dust. If I leave the lights off for 3 days its gone but its then back the following day with lights.
Am I still fighting cyano or is this a diatom issue? If it is diatom will it go away or is there something I need to do?
What is macro algae? as this sounds good for the tank.
Is this the good algae that i see people let grow on their powerheads and back wall?
Sometimes it looks very pretty to have a green and red wall of agae and really makes the tank look like it is thriving.
But so far the only thing that tries to grow is the brown algae.
Is this the good algae that i see people let grow on their powerheads and back wall?
Sometimes it looks very pretty to have a green and red wall of agae and really makes the tank look like it is thriving.
But so far the only thing that tries to grow is the brown algae.
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Will this help my tank with brown algae?
Will this help my tank with brown algae?
I have the medication but if the UV or purple or what ever you guys call it also helps kill it?
Here is a side snapshot of my tank with that uv light on:
http://www.aznphotos.com/view.html?f=img0468aoim.jpg
the paper work that came with the light was really lacking any real good info.
Will this help my tank with brown algae?
I have the medication but if the UV or purple or what ever you guys call it also helps kill it?
Here is a side snapshot of my tank with that uv light on:
http://www.aznphotos.com/view.html?f=img0468aoim.jpg
the paper work that came with the light was really lacking any real good info.
leoslizards
New member
Macro algae is large plant like algae that people use to absorb excess nitrates. Many different species available. It helps keep the bad algae from growing in your display tank. Macro algae is good because it keeps micro algae at bay but it could be bad if it gets out of control and takes over your main tank. For this reason many people usually grow it their sumps/refugs.
Maybe your talking about coralline algae aka purple algae. This algae is harmless. Shows a good sign that you have a healthy system.
leoslizards
New member
Re: Will this help my tank with brown algae?
Re: Will this help my tank with brown algae?
I don't think actinic lights help kill or grow coralline algae but I'm no expert. I'm a noob as well. Looks like you've been in the hobby longer then I have. What I would suggest is to get a phosphate reactor and some GFO (Granular Ferric Oxide) media. bulkreefsupply.com has good prices. I also suggest you use a RO/DI unit to purify your water. Tap water has alot of elements that algae uses to thrive. You could also feed your fish less and/or wash the food in clean RO water before feeding your fish.
Re: Will this help my tank with brown algae?
I don't think actinic lights help kill or grow coralline algae but I'm no expert. I'm a noob as well. Looks like you've been in the hobby longer then I have. What I would suggest is to get a phosphate reactor and some GFO (Granular Ferric Oxide) media. bulkreefsupply.com has good prices. I also suggest you use a RO/DI unit to purify your water. Tap water has alot of elements that algae uses to thrive. You could also feed your fish less and/or wash the food in clean RO water before feeding your fish.
Is the green slime bacteria considered cyano also?
I made a noob mistake because I hadn't read this thread and I brushed it off rocks and sifted my sand and it spread. I wouldn't consider it out of control yet. The lfs' sold me some white powdery supplement to mix into some water that he said he has prsonally used. I'll get the name in a bit, but it's for the red slime cyano specifically, which I do have as well, just not as much as the green.
What is the green? And what do I do about it?
I made a noob mistake because I hadn't read this thread and I brushed it off rocks and sifted my sand and it spread. I wouldn't consider it out of control yet. The lfs' sold me some white powdery supplement to mix into some water that he said he has prsonally used. I'll get the name in a bit, but it's for the red slime cyano specifically, which I do have as well, just not as much as the green.
What is the green? And what do I do about it?
