Clean up help

[Greg17]

so I just got back from a 10 day vacation and my tank looks like crap. So there are two questions I have. First I have cyano and was wondering if I should turn my skimmer off and dose red slime. I hate that stuff cause it screws up my skimmer and then I have to end up running vinegar and being without a skimmer for days. Is there something else I could use? I’m doing a 30% water change but the rocks and sand look ugly. I have always had great success with red slime.

Lastly, I had a huge rock filled with gsp that was beautiful. I come home and many of the polyps are gonna and it’s no longer out. Anything I can do. What do you think happened. All other corals are thriving.

 

[GoVols]

Well,
To get the balling (thread) rolling:

I'd test my phosphates and nitrates, right out of the gate.

 

[Idoc]

Maybe just check current nutrient levels, then siphon out as much of the cyano as you can... then get your nutrients back in line with what they were originally. Might take a little longer and more work, but no chemicals added to the tank!

 

[Greg17]

Just checked. Nitrates 5 and phosphate is 0. Just took a blaster to the rocks and about to do a water change. Algae on the gsp so that’s the culprit there. Thanks for your help guys. Oh and I replaced the carbon too.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Start with water change after you test for phosphates. Loosen red film and siphon up in process. If you don't have phosphate kit, see if a friend can test sample for you.

Great recourse is Chemi-clean which is reef safe and works well but comes is a TINY vial and is not cheap. Phos-sorb media or similar also helps