Chemiclean does not kill Alcaligenes faecalis.

[AdamG280]

Well that was a bummer. I’m now daily cleaning out my filter. I guess the next step is Dr. Tim’s Waste away. At this point, I feel like dumping bleach in and starting over. The chemiclean did however remove some green algae.

 

[taricha]

Just for info purposes, could we get a picture of what the growth was that you tried to eliminate with Chemi-clean?

 

[AdamG280]

Just for info purposes, could we get a picture of what the growth was that you tried to eliminate with Chemi-clean?

It’s so hard to see it’s so cloudy. It’s basically white slime. Started as strands. Now it develops in clumps. Not green or red. It grows incredibly rapidly and clogs everything. I have to wash out my filter daily. The UV sterilization helps a tiny bit, but I think the consistency of it is why it doesn’t work completely.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Chemiclean is an antibiotic to treat mainly cyano bacteria Looks like you have dinos in your pic.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

and lots of missing beneficial bacteria now post chemi clean.

 

[Spare time]

Are you carbon dosing or have an air freshener near by? If there are fish in there I'd get a cheap UV ASAP.

 

[jda]

It is just an antibiotic - a form of erythromycin. It won't kill any real algae or dinoflagellates. It is not even a good antibiotic for aquariums since - the Blue Vet Cyano Rx is Tylosin which is target to leave nitrifiers and other types of beneficial bacteria alone.

 

[AdamG280]

Are you carbon dosing or have an air freshener near by? If there are fish in there I'd get a cheap UV ASAP.

I have stuck my hand in several times when I probably had cologne on. Also I think the neighboring apartment is venting their dryer In the wrong place (I’m in a condo) and it consistently smells like fabric softener.

 

[AdamG280]

Chemiclean is an antibiotic to treat mainly cyano bacteria Looks like you have dinos in your pic.

What’s your recommendation?

 

[Spare time]

I have stuck my hand in several times when I probably had cologne on. Also I think the neighboring apartment is venting their dryer In the wrong place (I’m in a condo) and it consistently smells like fabric softener.

I'd run quality carbon, get a UV, and possibly an air filter that has carbon in it. Never put your hands in the tank without thoroughly rinsing them.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Well that was a bummer. I’m now daily cleaning out my filter. I guess the next step is Dr. Tim’s Waste away. At this point, I feel like dumping bleach in and starting over. The chemiclean did however remove some green algae.

What makes you think you have a problem with Alcaligenes faecalis?

FWIW, that bacterium is known to have many antibiotic resistant strains.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

What’s your recommendation?

My recommendation. Get a cheap microscope and identify what you're dealing with. No cologne , no airfreshners, no febreze , thoughly wash hands before touching the water. Always wear gloves

 

[AdamG280]

What makes you think you have a problem with Alcaligenes faecalis?

FWIW, that bacterium is known to have many antibiotic resistant strains.

Pictures, the color, the smell, and the speed at which it grows.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Pictures, the color, the smell, and the speed at which it grows.

Ok, maybe you know a lot more on how to identify bacteria that way, but I would never try to identify bacteria species based on those criteria.

 

[AdamG280]

Ok, maybe you know a lot more on how to identify bacteria that way, but I would never try to identify bacteria species based on those criteria.

No I know nothing. Just going through all the possibilities. This is my first reef tank. It’s all trial and error so far.