Chaeto getting overrun with Cyano

[nbd13]

Hey guys,

Anything I can do to help my chaeto that’s getting overrun by cyano?

My PO4 is 0.01 on Hanna ULR, obviously the algae chaeto and cyano are consuming some of it and it’s probably my higher.

The chaeto on the outsides of the ball has cyano growing on it so it can’t grow.

Should I ditch all of it and start from scratch? Or what? There’s some cyano and hair algae growing in the figs section that I’ve tried to clean off the walls as well.

Thanks

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I would not ditch it for new cheato. Chances are same thing will happen to a new batch since the cyano is in the fuge. I would clean it off in some fresh tank water, put it back in and get the flow up so it tumbles. If it is not stagnant there is less a chance of cyano overtaking it.

 

[nbd13]

I would not ditch it for new cheato. Chances are same thing will happen to a new batch since the cyano is in the fuge. I would clean it off in some fresh tank water, put it back in and get the flow up so it tumbles. If it is not stagnant there is less a chance of cyano overtaking it.

Thanks. I have an MP10 in there and all the flow from the tank goes through this section so it gets decent flow. I’ve never got it to tumble before.

 

[mfinn]

Once in a while I move mine around by hand when this happens.

 

[nbd13]

Once in a while I move mine around by hand when this happens.

How often do you move it? Each day till it goes away? It’s costed pretty heavy.

Thanks

 

[mfinn]

How often do you move it? Each day till it goes away? It’s costed pretty heavy.

Thanks

No, maybe every 2 weeks or so when I notice it.
If it's really bad I would probably pull the part of the bunch out and rinse it off as best I could. Maybe even with tap water. Just enough to rinse off the cyano.
If it's really bad, maybe toss that part of it.

I use a tunze powerhead in my refugium that keeps alot of water movement.

You mention hair algae too. Maybe do a good cleanout and stay on top of it until it balances out.

 

[Subsea]

+10 to what @mfinn said.

Tumbling is the easiest way to keep it clean. To accomplish a robust tumble requires sufficient vertical depth. I use air bubbles when I want it to tumble. A pump can be used to tumble but requires more finesse with flow dynamics.

 

[Teemingtank]

Had this same problem with dinoflagellates. I ended up stuffing my chaeto in an aqua clear large media bag. The dinos would cover the media bag and I’d Bastet it off when too much started forming... Chaeto still received enough light for photosynthesis and was clean as a whistle when I took it out.

 

[JCOLE]

Needs flow and contstant movement. I get Cyano on mine daily. I have a 1/2" PVC pipe I use to rotate the Chaeto daily. I flip it upside down to help with light distribution and movement. Once a month I remove 3/4 of the Chaeto due to excess growth. At this time I fill a 5 gallon bucket up half way with tank water. I take all the Chaeto and shake it in the water and this removes about 99% of the Cyano.

 

[Exotic Coral Collection]

I agree, tumbling r at least flip it often.