Cyano or dino?

Akida17th · Nov 1, 2015

So I placed some new frags in tank on some egg crate. The next day I had a break out of cyano or dino, not sure which but leaning towards cyano. I did mount the frag rack with some blue zip ties but doubt that could leach anything. Parameters below, my nitrates are higher than usual but may be test kit who knows., using Redsea test kit since I don't have any regiments left on my Hanna. Pics below with lights off and flash on phone camera. Any suggestions on best course of action? I usually do water changes once every 2 weeks but have been recently doing once a week now since this. I've gone through 2 15 gallon water changes. I did notice in my small refugium cyano started popping up probably since there isn't much flow, small area too. I'm looking for upgrade my sump soon.

Nitrate 4ppm
Phosphates .04-.06
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Calcium 440
Alk 7-8
mag 1300

KJ · Nov 1, 2015

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/a...atic-algae-and-the-means-to-control-it.87351/

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 1, 2015

Looks most like cyano to me.

gmastr85 · Nov 1, 2015

Yeah its cyano. I get this from time to time. Dino is snotty strings that grows the longer it is light.

Akida17th · Nov 1, 2015

So what do you think the best course of action is? I'll feed less and have been since this popped up. maybe it's the salmon I've been feeding, can be fatty at times (for nems). Should I proceed with water changes or try and use chemical removal? I actually thought this happened from running too much Phosguard and dropping my phosphates too quickly but I need this out.

gmastr85 · Nov 1, 2015

Usually when I see this I know it's time to change my RODI filters. I always run GFO so I know my levels are typically low. Usually when I see my substrate getting a color to it I lower my feedings, change my GFO, and change my RODI filters. You can try lights out for a day or two also...

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 1, 2015

Akida17th said:
So what do you think the best course of action is? I'll feed less and have been since this popped up. maybe it's the salmon I've been feeding, can be fatty at times (for nems). Should I proceed with water changes or try and use chemical removal? I actually thought this happened from running too much Phosguard and dropping my phosphates too quickly but I need this out.

Cyano would not grow just because phosphate dropped too fast, if that is what you mean.

The best things to deal with cyano, short of killing it with an antibiotic as a last resort, ase to reduce phosphate, nitrate, and organics, and increase water flow. There are many ways to decrease the nutrients and organics.

Akida17th · Nov 1, 2015

My flow is maxed out with my Gyre, anymore flow and corals won't be happy. Maybe another separate pump will help. I have a 3.-4" sandbed that may be causing the issue. I try to remove some every WC until hopefully one day it's a bare bottom which is what I should of went with. The only way I know how to reduce nitrates is by water changes and less feedings. I run two DI resins on my RO unit which are almost depleted sine my TDS has risen to 1 at times. Can depleted DI cause a breakout like this or a membrane issue? It's been probably almost a year since I've changed my membrane I think. Any suggestions appreciated

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 1, 2015

Akida17th said:
My flow is maxed out with my Gyre, anymore flow and corals won't be happy. Maybe another separate pump will help. I have a 3.-4" sandbed that may be causing the issue. I try to remove some every WC until hopefully one day it's a bare bottom which is what I should of went with. The only way I know how to reduce nitrates is by water changes and less feedings. I run two DI resins on my RO unit which are almost depleted sine my TDS has risen to 1 at times. Can depleted DI cause a breakout like this or a membrane issue? It's been probably almost a year since I've changed my membrane I think. Any suggestions appreciated

It is doubtful that a DI with a TDS of 1 is causing cyano. The amount of nutrients getting through is likely trivial relative to foods.

Akida17th · Nov 1, 2015

Ok I'll stop feeding the salmon, I think that was a large culprit. I'll do a 15 gallon water change tomorrow and see how everything goes. My yellow tang is eating the cyano which I didn't think they do. Thanks for the help. Hopefully with some work I can get rid of this nasty stuff. I have a gyre 150 on my 30x30x24 a 30% constant but maybe I'll add a jabeo to supplement.