Captainscott
Community Member
Can you help me understand my algae problem attached bellow are some pics using prime hd 16 for lighting with AA up sterilizer and a reef scape protein skimmer I do weekly water changes but doesn’t seem to help.
Cyano?
- Thread starter Captainscott
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MightyMO
"The Algae made me do it!!!"
I'm with you on this one... I have high phosphates, cut back my feeding. Running chemipure blue, dosing microbacter7. And still can't get a handle on it... So if you hear something good, let me know...Can you help me understand my algae problem attached bellow are some pics using prime hd 16 for lighting with AA up sterilizer and a reef scape protein skimmer I do weekly water changes but doesn’t seem to help.
MightyMO
"The Algae made me do it!!!"
Mine is over 3 years old... and it's cyano...
MightyMO
"The Algae made me do it!!!"
And good evening...
OP
OP
Captainscott
Community Member
Hey thanks everyone tank is 7 months old as of yesterday what’s a good way to curb cyano
MightyMO
"The Algae made me do it!!!"
What are your parameters at. @Mastiffsrule, knows what he is talking about. So in order to rule out diatoms, need to know parameters of water quality...
Mastiffsrule
Where ever you go, there you are, so be nice 2 you
Thanks for the nice words. 
As @MightyMO parameters would definitely be good.
I saw from your June post you were having similar problems. Is it still the same issue? It looked like the low nutrient levels may have been a contributing factor, but cyano is bacterial so not the only cause.
Did you see any results from increasing the flow as recommended and pulling out a wetter skimmate? There are a few things we can try along with the increased flow and skimming. Which uv do you have? There may be some adjustments there to be made. A temporary shortened photo period may also help weaken them along with the UV.
There is also Chemiclean. It is proven to work. I have run it with no losses to coral or fish, but natural methods first is always best. That is usually best saved for last.
As @MightyMO parameters would definitely be good.I saw from your June post you were having similar problems. Is it still the same issue? It looked like the low nutrient levels may have been a contributing factor, but cyano is bacterial so not the only cause.
Did you see any results from increasing the flow as recommended and pulling out a wetter skimmate? There are a few things we can try along with the increased flow and skimming. Which uv do you have? There may be some adjustments there to be made. A temporary shortened photo period may also help weaken them along with the UV.
There is also Chemiclean. It is proven to work. I have run it with no losses to coral or fish, but natural methods first is always best. That is usually best saved for last.
OP
OP
Captainscott
Community Member
Hey everyone sorry for the late response but my levels are nitrate 5.0 nitrite 0 ammonia 0 high range ph is 8.2 here is a couple updated photos been using chemi clean for 2 days no change any tips maybe a water change today or wait 48 hours for chemi clean to do it’s magic how long can I use the product or should I not be using it. Thanks for the help all you pros
Mastiffsrule
Where ever you go, there you are, so be nice 2 you
Hi,
No worries. If you have been running Chemiclean with no results it most likely is not going to be cyano. The next though would be diatoms and Dino. With the age of tank I would lean towards Dino, but I hate saying that without any other supportive evidence.
What UV do you have, and any access to a microscope?
No worries. If you have been running Chemiclean with no results it most likely is not going to be cyano. The next though would be diatoms and Dino. With the age of tank I would lean towards Dino, but I hate saying that without any other supportive evidence.
What UV do you have, and any access to a microscope?
OP
OP
Captainscott
Community Member
OP
OP
Captainscott
Community Member
I have a 24w aa Uv I turned off since the start of chemi clean and no microscope anyway to remove them for good
OP
OP
Captainscott
Community Member
That’s on the outside of my protein skimmer acrylic tube and on top of my power head
schuby
Valuable Member
Things grow when you feed them (and nothing else eats it faster). if you have high Silicates in your top-off water (usually RO/DI), then you are feeding diatoms. A simple Silicate test-kit can help.
I had diatoms. They seemed to be mostly gone when my lights came on, and then they just seemed to get more and more after a few minutes. Removing the excess Silicate from my RO/DI water made them go away in less than a week.
I had diatoms. They seemed to be mostly gone when my lights came on, and then they just seemed to get more and more after a few minutes. Removing the excess Silicate from my RO/DI water made them go away in less than a week.
