Cyano Battle

[cdness]

So I am having a cyano issue in my 125G tank. This all started after adding a biopellet reactor to the system. Prior to adding the biopellets there was absolutely no cyano in the tank... I have since removed the reactor and hoped the issue would go away. 6 months later the issue is still there no matter what efforts I throw at it...

Here is what I have tried:

1. Lights out for 3 days - Killed it but it all came back
2. Added carbon and GFO in good amounts to soak up nutrients - no effect
3. Lowered light cycle - no effect
4. Added more chaeto, flame algae and mangroves - no effect
5. Adjusted the skimmer to skim wetter - no effect
6. Vacuumed the sandbed - no effect
7. Bumped up my cleanup crew - no effect
8. Adjusted the flow to focus on a specific area - no effect

Tank Parameters:
Salinity: 1.026
pH: 7.8 average, fluctuates from 7.6 - 8.0
Temp: 78 degrees, fluctuates .5 degrees through the day
Calcium (Red Sea): 440
Alkalinity (Red Sea): 10
Magnesium (Red Sea): 1440
Ammonia (Red Sea): 0
Nitrite (Red Sea): 0
Nitrate (Red Sea): 0
Phosphate (Hanna): .02

I would like to avoid going the "slime remover" route as I have never been a big fan of adding those sorts of chemicals to my reef tank. However I am running out of options...

What I would like to see is if anyone has any other suggestions to try. I am open to ideas and trying other options to get rid of this. I just don't want to go the chemical route if at all possible.

 

[reeffirstaid]

Cyano, and the addition of bio-pellet reactors often walk hand in hand. Were you running the outflow from the reactor, into a skimmer or skimmer chamber? This often takes enough excess bacteria out of the tank, that it prevents slime algae from growing. Removing the reactor would have solved the problem, if it were the cause. I would recommend trying a dose of some Chemi-Clean. This is not an antibiotic like some red slime removers, but an oxidizer. It boosts the aerobic bacteria in the aquarium, which strive on oxygen, allowing them to out compete the cyano bacteria, which is usually anaerobic.

 

[reeffirstaid]

Also, on a side note, 7.6 - 8.0 is a bit of a ph swing. Are you dosing any soluble form of carbon?

 

[cdness]

Cyano, and the addition of bio-pellet reactors often walk hand in hand. Were you running the outflow from the reactor, into a skimmer or skimmer chamber? This often takes enough excess bacteria out of the tank, that it prevents slime algae from growing. Removing the reactor would have solved the problem, if it were the cause. I would recommend trying a dose of some Chemi-Clean. This is not an antibiotic like some red slime removers, but an oxidizer. It boosts the aerobic bacteria in the aquarium, which strive on oxygen, allowing them to out compete the cyano bacteria, which is usually anaerobic.

Reactor output was run to the skimmer section. It discharged in front of the skimmer pump intake, however not all the output could have run through the skimmer. I have been avoiding the Chemi-Clean route solely for the purpose of not wanting to add chemicals to the tank. I thought it was an antibiotic like the rest. If that is not the case, then maybe it is OK to use...

Also, on a side note, 7.6 - 8.0 is a bit of a ph swing. Are you dosing any soluble form of carbon?

Yeah it all depends on if I have my windows open or not. Now that the weather is getting better I can have them open more often and stabilize it. Typically if the windows are all closed the swing is 7.6 - 7.8. Not all of this swing is during one day. If I open the windows the pH ranges between 7.8 and 8.0. I am not a fan of hot water heat as there is no real airflow in the house...

I am not dosing ANY soluble carbon. No vodka, sugar, vinegar, or other product that acts as carbon dosing.

 

[Dowtish]

You can try dosing bacteria like MB7 or Microbe Lift special blend. but it will still take at least 4 weeks to work.

Why not just use Boyds chemi clean???

I just used it on my SPS dominate tank and ZERO issues whatsoever. All of my green slime was gone in 48 hours and has not returned.

 

[NanaReefer]

I'm in the same boat! Been 3 months now. Have tried everything that is being suggested and still it persists. I'm now dosing MB7 with hope!