What is this? Algae or Cyano

[Bergie_STA]

I have a new reef tank (3 months old and new to the hobby) and in the past few weeks I have had this develop on the rocks and sand.

Is this a variant of Cyano or is it an algae. The long strings are feather like.

If anyone knows what it is, do you have a cure for it?

 

[panhandler01]

Looks like cyano to me. This is probably just one of the phases that alot of new tanks go through. I wouldn't worry too much about it. It will pass. You could try to get more flow in the areas of your tank that the cyano is showing up in if you want to get rid of it quickly. I have had success doing that in the past.

 

[Dogshowgrl]

Cyano. I use chemiclean it is very reef safe, but some don't like chemicals, I get it. More flow and gently syphon out what you can. It is toxic so don't bother getting CUC to clean it, most will die or not touch it. It is good at showing low flow areas, hey always look for the bright side. it is part of the frowning pains but it can happen at anytime. Good luck!

 

[CButkos]

I would also say that is cyano, mine started to show up at about the 2-3 month mark and looked exactly like that. When it was in full swing i had decent size strands blowing in the current, so it didnt seem to be as much of a low flow issue for me.

When i had an outbreak of ich due to poor quarantine protocol i removed the fish to a hospital tank for treatment. shortly after this i began to see the cyano fading. Im not sure if the removal of the fish was the cause of the dieback as i continued to feed the tank to keep my CUC and shrimp alive. I didnt feed heavily before and still dont, a tiny scoop of mysis. When my fish return to the tank after the quarantine is over we shall see if the cyano returns. I think the outbreak i had and you are having is just a symptom of new tanks. I would keep sucking the Cyano up weekly, by doing this you are removing the nutrients they are consuming.

At every water change i would use a length of hard tubing left over from my RODI to siphon it out, it worked well because it had a lot of force but didn't drain my tank down that fast allowing me to take my time and get every rock.

Good luck