HUGE cyanobacteria outbreak

[alzika]

It is everywhere in my tank!

How do I get rid of this stuff?

It's covering my zoos and they can't get light, and its on other corals as well.

My ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates are all 0, my water reading for my water source has a TDS of 123, and my phosphates are 0.

 

[TomRep]

Your TDS of 123 is way to high. I believe they recommend no more then 20 if you can? I may be low on that number though. Also, your PO4 is likely not 0. What test kit are you using to measure it? Most hobby kits, even the "good" ones, do not show true values, nor the different types of phosphates. Someone more into chemistry will explain that. As for your corals, I would blow them off with a turkey baster or something, daily if need be. Cyano and suffocate corals rather quickly. Everytime I had an outbreak, I would do daily water changes syphoning it out everytime. Good luck!
tom

 

[alzika]

My LFS tested my phosphates...they tend to be pretty knowledgable.

My TDS is just tap water that I condition with prime...I know I need to get an RO/DI unit but that's really not an option at the moment for me.

Is there a way to get rid of it besides trying to get it all off? That would be a major pain since it is EVERYWHERE in my tank.

 

[paulfromero]

Hi,

If you are looking for an option, you may try out chemi-clean. Small little bottle of stuff that oxidizes cyano etc. in abou 24-48 hours. Requires 25-30% water change afterwards. DO point some powerheads upward and put an airstone in tank during the time its doing its work. Dont want to have oxygen get too low. See related threads by doing a search.

cya,

Paul

 

[drummereef]

The tap water is unfortunately to blame here most likely. A tds of 123 is crazy high. Most RO/DI users won't use water that has a tds higher than 1 ppm, myself included. I would find a new source for water and start from there. Please read.

Tap Water in Reef Aquaria
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2004/chem.htm

 

[dndbenson]

Definately need to get TDS down. How long has your tank been running. I had cyno really bad, but after adding RO/DI filters and getting my TDS down to 0 I was able to get rid of it all. It does take time, it wont go away over night.

 

[Randall_James]

Purchase RO/DI and THEN TDS meter

 

[Euclid537]

I'd also try increasing your flow in addition to better quality water.

 

[Abynum1]

This will get rid of it in less than 3 days, its all natural and free!
However you still need to address the source so it wont come back.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1078532