Cyanobacteria

clownin_around · Oct 13, 2016

So I think I have Cyanobacteria. I saw a suggestion to get rid of it was hydrogen peroxide. Will that hurt my fish, corals, anemone, or inverts? Thanks!

IDNTFU · Oct 13, 2016

clownin_around said:
So I think I have Cyanobacteria. I saw a suggestion to get rid of it was hydrogen peroxide. Will that hurt my fish, corals, anemone, or inverts? Thanks!

I wouldn't recommend doing this at all, if you have cyano is because something might be off on your tank check your water parameters first then go from there. Find out if you need a water change

sa6hir · Oct 13, 2016

How old is your tank?

clownin_around · Oct 13, 2016

About 4 months

sa6hir · Oct 13, 2016

If it's 4 months old then it's a new set up you will get all sorts happening until your tank matures and good bacteria can keep up with tank maintenance. Do not point your power head toward the bacteria it will break up and spread. Turn off your power heads and sypon off the cyano. You will have to do this a few times should clear up within a week reduce lighting to maybe 3-4 hours a day. Also if you wanted to use chemical use red slim removal yes it's reef safe. I've added a picture so you could do your own research

clownin_around · Oct 13, 2016

Thanks!

jcdeng · Oct 13, 2016

a conch is your friend, for the sand bed anyways, they can't climb rocks.

fernalfer · Oct 13, 2016

jcdeng said:
a conch is your friend, for the sand bed anyways, they can't climb rocks.

i don't believe a conch will eat cyano but i may be wrong.

sa6hir · Oct 13, 2016

I won't your right but it will keep turning the substrate over so the cyano gets covered

jcdeng · Oct 13, 2016

fernalfer said:
i don't believe a conch will eat cyano but i may be wrong.

many on RC tend to disagree, as well as from my own experience.

seastar · Oct 13, 2016

What size tank do you have? (I ask to help with dosing but that info can be found below) I tried a few of the store bought solutions for cyano but the on the only thing that ended up being effective was in fact hydrogen peroxide. A great article by @twilliard can be found here: http://www.reefnation.com/understanding-cyanobacteria/

First make sure you have it and not spirulina, but once confirmed:

"the use of 3% hydrogen peroxide dosed at 1ml per 10 gallons of tank volume every 12 hours for 14 days."

I can confirm this personally worked for my tank. You'll see the first changes in a couple of days but you'll be thrilled when it starts to happen. Keep on top of it and you'll eventually win the battle. Best of luck.

seastar · Oct 13, 2016

jcdeng said:
a conch is your friend, for the sand bed anyways, they can't climb rocks.

Also OP +1 to this post, sand tiger conchs are are pretty cool little creatures and I recommend you pick up the right amount based on your tank size to help stir up your sand.

Breakthecycle2 · Oct 13, 2016

IDNTFU said:
I wouldn't recommend doing this at all, if you have cyano is because something might be off on your tank check your water parameters first then go from there. Find out if you need a water change

Why would you not recommend it? There are numerous threads on here about it. It does work.

reefwiser · Oct 14, 2016

clownin_around · Oct 14, 2016

seastar said:
What size tank do you have? (I ask to help with dosing but that info can be found below) I tried a few of the store bought solutions for cyano but the on the only thing that ended up being effective was in fact hydrogen peroxide. A great article by @twilliard can be found here: http://www.reefnation.com/understanding-cyanobacteria/

First make sure you have it and not spirulina, but once confirmed:

"the use of 3% hydrogen peroxide dosed at 1ml per 10 gallons of tank volume every 12 hours for 14 days."

I can confirm this personally worked for my tank. You'll see the first changes in a couple of days but you'll be thrilled when it starts to happen. Keep on top of it and you'll eventually win the battle. Best of luck.

It's a 36 gallon. I read that same article!