Cyano in Frag tank not DT

[R33f_Hacker]

Hi reefers,

Looking for some suggestions with my algae issue in my frag tank. I think its cyano - calotrix?? DT and Frag are connected to a trigger sys plantium sump, skimmer, carbon, gfo and uv. I did have cyan in both tanks like 6 months ago but was able to clean it out but the frag continues to produce algae. I have been battling algae in gen for almost a year now. I did have low nitrate and phosphate before have gotten them up to following but the algae persists in the frag tank. I clean the algae off the frag rack in SW from WC. I know I need more clean up crew bad in frag tank. Ordering more and open to suggestion on CUC. No live rock in frag but plenty in dt. good circulation in tanks and sump.

Thanks for your suggestions on how best remove and maintain a algae free frag tank. Please let me know if you need any more info. The attached pics and algae growth in frag tank was 1 week after removing all algae from rank and plugs. Thanks!

SPECS-
DT - 90 g
Frag - 40 g
Alk - 7.5-8
ph - 8.1-8.3
Cal - 460
Mg - 1400
No3 - 3 -4
Po4 - .08-1.1
temp - 76.5-78

 

[reefbandit]

I know you say there is good flow, but is there similar turnover and power heads to your DT?

 

[R33f_Hacker]

I know you say there is good flow, but is there similar turnover and power heads to your DT?

I certainly do believe so. its a 40b with a powerhead on each side
1 -
H2Pro Wavemaker 2378Gph Aquarium Water Pump with Controller
Item Number: MT-QP9. ------- this thing is super strong .. have to have it turned all the way down or its just a hurricane in there. currently doing a pulse. prob going to with a nero3 from dt with this.

2-
H2Pro Wavemaker 1320Gph Aquarium Water Pump with Controller
Item Number: MT-QP5. ----- this one is better sized for the frag .. is on random 15%-100%

One thing is I do not have any live rock in the frag but I dont believe to many ppl do that. I have also been considering a refugium / algae scrubber. I just dont want to keep shooting in the dark. Hopefully I can get some good suggestions here. thanks.

 

[R33f_Hacker]

bump

 

[sixty_reefer]

Have you got more pictures?

 

[R33f_Hacker]

@sixty_reefer Thanks for your help

Display no algae growth ...

 

[sixty_reefer]

@sixty_reefer Thanks for your help

Display no algae growth ...

I see why you may think calothrix I see the resemblance, the algae could also be A mixture of lyngbya and gha, you wouldn’t have a microscope at hand?
Independently of the determination of the species that is currently taking over it’s definitely interesting that it’s only growing in the frag tank, this could be as there isn’t as many organisms in your frag tank to compete for nutrients as you have a several large coral colonies in your DT.

A way forward could be the introduction of macro algaes as you suggested earlier in the thread, they perform a decent job at reducing organic nutrient that most algaes will prefer over inorganic nutrients, personally I wouldn’t lower your current inorganic nutrients (nitrate and phosphates) to battle algae.
I would also completely discard the egg crate and replace it for a new one the shape they have makes it a hard to eliminate completely any algae from it, leaving always a chance for it to return.

Edit:
Other alternative to add a refugium would be to try and feed the Frag tank directly from the main display by Gravity (before it gets to the sump), this would send water with less organic Into your frag tank as most organic nutrients will be released from the sump firstly after the filter sock or sediment baffle.

 

[sneekapeek]

Cyano comes and goes, just have to be persistent in removal. Also would recommend getting a small tang and trading in when it outgrows the tank. Good luck buddy. I hope you prevail.

 

[R33f_Hacker]

I see why you may think calothrix I see the resemblance, the algae could also be A mixture of lyngbya and gha, you wouldn’t have a microscope at hand?
Independently of the determination of the species that is currently taking over it’s definitely interesting that it’s only growing in the frag tank, this could be as there isn’t as many organisms in your frag tank to compete for nutrients as you have a several large coral colonies in your DT.

A way forward could be the introduction of macro algaes as you suggested earlier in the thread, they perform a decent job at reducing organic nutrient that most algaes will prefer over inorganic nutrients, personally I wouldn’t lower your current inorganic nutrients (nitrate and phosphates) to battle algae.
I would also completely discard the egg crate and replace it for a new one the shape they have makes it a hard to eliminate completely any algae from it, leaving always a chance for it to return.

Edit:
Other alternative to add a refugium would be to try and feed the Frag tank directly from the main display by Gravity (before it gets to the sump), this would send water with less organic Into your frag tank as most organic nutrients will be released from the sump firstly after the filter sock or sediment baffle.

@sixty_reefer Thanks for the reply.
I do not have a microscope but I see some inexpensive ones on amazon. If identifying it will help me get through this then I will buy one.

I have replaced the frag rack before but at that time there was also algae in DT so I think I have a better chance now. Wouldn't a new rack need to cycle? Could I just replace the rack with another I have previously used, cleaned, scrubbed and dried. May give it a hydrogen peroxide bath before putting it in????

So you do or do not recommend a refugium? I agree that my nitrate and phos levels seem ok. And is why I have hesitated on it.

I like the idea of feeding the frag from DT. Here is my current setup. Not sure how I could accomplish this. Suggestions?

 

[R33f_Hacker]

bump

 

[R33f_Hacker]

Update:
Since first post I added

changed the frag rack as @sixty_reefer suggested. done before but didn't help at that time, it just grew back next day. I also removed my 55w UV filter. I do believe adding the CUC was most important but I believe the UV filter may have been zapping wanted lifeforms.

I changed the rack about a week ago and it's super clean. thanks for the help! cheers