Cyano on sandbed

[iamurri33]

I am starting to get cyano in my tank, I have a fuge with deep sand bed and the cyano would only grow in the sump, now I upgraded my sump and have no sand bed,y cyano is now in my display, what can I do, anything that eats it? Anything that can get rid of it? It's not real bad.

 

[iamurri33]

75 gal sump no sand yet.

 

[iamurri33]

Also running 3 Chinese led boxes

 

[cloak]

Just siphon out what you can before each water change and use a toothbrush or something similar to clean the rocks. Increasing the flow might help too. GL.

http://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

 

[Tateopotatoe]

Hermit crabs eat cyanobacteria

 

[iamurri33]

My tiger eats all snails and picks at hermits every once and a while :/ I'm gonna go get another 20 hermits and add them at night hope it helps

 

[twilliard]

This will be a double edge sword as you add hermits to the tank.
What will happen is the increase of waste in the tank may contribute to the growth of the bacteria.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

try increasing the intensity of the lighting in the fuge, and perhaps spectrum( i use 32k with 56k full spectrum), also add some more diverse macros there.
the more photosynthesis you get the more nutrients the macros will pull from the water.
Diverse macros use up different nutrients.
increasing(or changing to a more turbulant) flow keeps the food and poop particles in suspension longer so they get to the skimmer and fuge.
Ive never seen a hermit eat cyano.
ever.
Tank still looks pretty new so its a normal phase. so...

 

[Rjramos]

I got a bit too! And circulation is not an issue in this tank. Just started the micro bubbling everyone is talking about last night. I will update if it works! Hope you figure it out.

 

[twilliard]

try increasing the intensity of the lighting in the fuge, and perhaps spectrum( i use 32k with 56k full spectrum), also add some more diverse macros there.
the more photosynthesis you get the more nutrients the macros will pull from the water.
Diverse macros use up different nutrients.
increasing(or changing to a more turbulant) flow keeps the food and poop particles in suspension longer so they get to the skimmer and fuge.
Ive never seen a hermit eat cyano.
ever.
Tank still looks pretty new so its a normal phase. so...

I was going to say that hermits don't eat bacteria but more like they stir the bacteria around

 

[twilliard]

I got a bit too! And circulation is not an issue in this tank. Just started the micro bubbling everyone is talking about last night. I will update if it works! Hope you figure it out.

This would be an interesting conclusion
When I look at the cells under 2500 power it's hard for me to believe air will kill the individual cells.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

if volcanoes, 1000 feet of arctic ice and living under the mantle of a continent cant kill cyano, not sure what bubbles will do.
likely increased gas exchange reduces it ability to colonize, and helps further breaks down organics to be more efficiently removed by the skimmer, plants and animals.

 

[twilliard]

if volcanoes, 1000 feet of arctic ice and living under the mantle of a continent cant kill cyano, not sure what bubbles will do.
likely increased gas exchange reduces it ability to colonize, and helps further breaks down organics to be more efficiently removed by the skimmer, plants and animals.

Cyanobacteria has adapted nicely to harsh environments

 

[lwmnfrvr]

I've had issues several times in the past with cyano bacteria and have not found anything that will eat it. I have tried blowing it off, water changes, adding Blue Legged Hermit Crabs and nothing seemed to work.
Finally went with Erythromycin. Mixed a small amount (1 teaspoon dissolved in water) turned off the skimmer for the day and added the solution. With in an hour the cyano was lifting off the rocks and sand bed. The following day I did a 20 gallon water change. (90 gallon tank) and ran carbon for a few days. Left the skimmer off for two days then turned it back on. Did not have any issues with the skimmer overflowing.
This has worked for me every time I have used it and I have not suffered any ill effects.
Word of caution, if you decide to go this route start with a small amount at first!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Cyanobacteria has adapted nicely to harsh environments

and thats how life on earth started
SO now life is starting in you tank. it will slowly find its own balance, with some encouragement and direction by us.

 

[twilliard]

and thats how life on earth started
SO now life is starting in you tank. it will slowly find its own balance, with some encouragement and direction by us.

Agreed 100%

 

[Rjramos]

likely increased gas exchange reduces it ability to colonize, and helps further breaks down organics to be more efficiently removed by the skimmer, plants and animals.
This is the concept behind the micro/nano bubbling idea. "Get the gunk up, and to the sump!" I figured it's worth a try.[emoji4]

 

[twilliard]

Did you know cyanobacteria can sustain off of hydrogen sulfide
Ever wondered why it hangs around the bottom of tanks?