Siphoning off Cyano

[Smaster121]

I have a perpetual cyano bloom. I am trying to get up the inspiration to attack it again. Frankly it's getting very frustrating.

I plan to aggressively monitor water parameter much more diligently and siphon off the cyano as it blooms. Hopefully the refugium will do it's job and 'get ahead' of the cyano eventually.

But is all this siphoning good for the DSB? I try to wait for the cyano to form a bit of a mat since it makes siphoning easier. If I don't I need to siphon a layer of DSB in order to catch the cyano that is forming. Even with the cyano matted I still get a fair amount of the DSB with it.

I have about 3.5" of DSB so I am not as worried about loosing the volume of sand as I am about sucking off beneficial organisms.

Of course, I can't keep siphoning forever without affecting the DSB depth eventually.

 

[tikki50]

Well I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t have a DSB just agronite. I have had a cyno outbreak now for 2 months, I can feel your pain. I'm finally wining the battle. This is what I did using no RSR either:

First I consulted RC, lol.

Second ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ I increased skimming and flow like advised. I also ordered some Special Blend. Some local reefers told me to try this stuff and just add it when you do water changes. Make sure to shut off your skimmer for at least 12 hours when you add it because itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s a bacteria and will get taken out. This beneficial bacteria competes against the cyno and will help you defeat it. Once I started using mine I noticed the cyno patches developing a bright green spot and dying off. Increased use of phosban too.

Third ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ increase water changes and purchased a HOT magnum. This was the best solution so far. The HOT magnum allowed me to shop vac the entire tank. Using the micro filter I just made up a pitcher of new salt water about every other day and started up the magnum. Once it was running I took the tube off my siphon and stuck it into the intake on the magnum. Volia you have a shop vac running about 100 gal hour. I didnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t keep the larger tube on the siphon, only the smaller tube to increase suction. It sucks all the detritus and cyno off the rocks really good, even in those crevasses and you only have to get it close to the bottom to pull up the cyno. I noticed if you let the cyno clump up then it will pull up the entire piece all at once. I even suck up some of the agronite and it doesnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t effect the pump at all. IF you want to slow it just cover the end with your finger slightly and slow it down. This has become a weekly routine for me now just for detruis and that small patch of cyno. BE CAREFUL AROUND YOUR CORALS, it will suck them right up, oops, what was xenia, LOL.

Fourth ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ Constant moderating and water changes more often.

 

[Smaster121]

OOps, just realized I was in the wrong forum!

 

[Smaster121]

Thanks for the reply.

Is Special Blend similar to Red Slime remover or Chemi-Clean?

 

[tikki50]

No not at all. Its a benefical bacteria kinda like a jump start for a new tank cycle. IT healthy for your tank and will not effect it like RSR, they are not even close to being the same thing.

 

[Mo2]

I find the red algae really truly annoying. NO i dont believe at all that it is healthy or usefull. I had the biggest problem with that red stuff. I finally gave up right before dumping a TON of calupra into the tank. ANd then without noticing my red algae, dissappeared within 2 weeks or so. Now I leave it in the tank and it seems to soak up all the bad nutrients. Just remember to trim!