Cyanobacteria

[JohnG123]

Hi,
Have had a tank set up running for 4 years now but a month ago have had a growth of red slime algae which I believe is called Cyanobacteria. Have tried manual removal but no luck. All tests are normal and doing regular water changes. Any ideas?

 

[gbroadbridge]

Hi,
Have had a tank set up running for 4 years now but a month ago have had a growth of red slime algae which I believe is called Cyanobacteria. Have tried manual removal but no luck. All tests are normal and doing regular water changes. Any ideas?

Do you have a photo under white light?

Also Nitrate and Phosphate measurements?

Are there bubbles attached?

 

[Dan_P]

Hi,
Have had a tank set up running for 4 years now but a month ago have had a growth of red slime algae which I believe is called Cyanobacteria. Have tried manual removal but no luck. All tests are normal and doing regular water changes. Any ideas?

Not much to go on. How long ago did you first see a red blush? Where is it growing?

You could use ChemiClean or you could try tweaking water parameters.

 

[JohnG123]

Do you have a photo under white light?

Also Nitrate and Phosphate measurements?

Are there bubbles attached?

Have to wait 3 hours for the lights to come on. Phosphate 0.05 Nitrate 0. Some air bubbles on the rocks.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Have to wait 3 hours for the lights to come on. Phosphate 0.05 Nitrate 0. Some air bubbles on the rocks.

I'd bring the nitrate up to about 5 ppm, vacuum out daily and increase flow.

It should clear up on its own In a week or so.

The Phosphate levels are fine.

You could use something like Chemiclean if you wish to go the chemical route.

 

[JohnG123]

I'd bring the nitrate up to about 5 ppm, vacuum out daily and increase flow.

It should clear up on its own In a week or so.

The Phosphate levels are fine.

You could use something like Chemiclean if you wish to go the chemical route.

Thanks

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Chemiclean is the way to go, keep the water oxygenated and you will have no issue with it.

 

[JohnG123]

Do you have a photo under white light?

Also Nitrate and Phosphate measurements?

Are there bubbles attached?

I have been advised to use Cyno solution to get rid of the Cyno??

 

[IslandLifeReef]

I have been advised to use Cyno solution to get rid of the Cyno??

Be careful using things like chemclean or cyano solution. These products kill bacteria. They don’t discriminate, so they can also kill good bacteria. I would only use these as a last resort. Try getting your NO3 up and vacuuming out the cyano. Cyano can also,thrive if there is a lot of dissolved organics in the water or accumulating in the substrate.

 

[Subsea]

Be careful using things like chemclean or cyano solution. These products kill bacteria. They don’t discriminate, so they can also kill good bacteria. I would only use these as a last resort. Try getting your NO3 up and vacuuming out the cyano. Cyano can also,thrive if there is a lot of dissolved organics in the water or accumulating in the substrate.

ChemiClean is a gram negative bacteria probiotic. It does discriminate and it does work when directions are followed.

 

[Bob Weigant]

All I can say is Dr Tim's Refresh worked for me.

 

[IslandLifeReef]

ChemiClean is a gram negative bacteria probiotic. It does discriminate and it does work when directions are followed.

So are you saying that Chemiclean will only kill the bacteria that causes Cyano and nothing else? I am not an expert in that field and would like to know.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I have been advised to use Cyno solution to get rid of the Cyno??

I would try the other, non-chemical suggestions first. If you don't, it will likely just come back again.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

ChemiClean is a gram negative bacteria probiotic. It does discriminate and it does work when directions are followed.

It's an antibiotic - erythromycin. It affects gram negative bacteria.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

So are you saying that Chemiclean will only kill the bacteria that causes Cyano and nothing else? I am not an expert in that field and would like to know.

No. It will affect other gram negative bacteria as well, including BB (beneficial bacteria).

Found on another forum:
"Erythromycin is a potent antibiotic that will affect many strains of bacteria, including nitrifying bacteria. Antibiotics do not "kill" bacteria. They interfere with the reproductive process so the bacteria cannot replicate. Thus, they eventually die out."

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I'm not suggesting that it will wipe out your BB population, but the newer a tank, the more likely it is that it will have a significant effect on the cycle.

 

[Subsea]

No. It will affect other gram negative bacteria as well, including BB (beneficial bacteria).

Found on another forum:
"Erythromycin is a potent antibiotic that will affect many strains of bacteria, including nitrifying bacteria. Antibiotics do not "kill" bacteria. They interfere with the reproductive process so the bacteria cannot replicate. Thus, they eventually die out."

Not to diminish what someone said on another forum, I prefer to base my information source on documentation. I think what @Randy Holmes-Farley said here is pragmatic. He has used it. He thinks some Cynobacteria in a reef tank is not a bad thing. Yes, ChemiClean has “some” Erythromycin in it. In large enough doses, erythromycin kills other bacteria.

What's in Chemiclean?

I've just started a dose of Chemiclean as I've found its the best (and only for me) way to get rid of Cyano. While I learn how to prevent Cyano to begin with, I was curious just exactly what this stuff is? I heard "bacteria'? Whatever it is it makes my tank look so amazing right after its...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[JohnG123]

Not to diminish what someone said on another forum, I prefer to base my information source on documentation. I think what @Randy Holmes-Farley said here is pragmatic. He has used it. He thinks some Cynobacteria in a reef tank is not a bad thing. Yes, ChemiClean has “some” Erythromycin in it. In large enough doses, erythromycin kills other bacteria.

What's in Chemiclean?

I've just started a dose of Chemiclean as I've found its the best (and only for me) way to get rid of Cyano. While I learn how to prevent Cyano to begin with, I was curious just exactly what this stuff is? I heard "bacteria'? Whatever it is it makes my tank look so amazing right after its...

www.reef2reef.com

Sorry but I didn’t understand your answer. Is it safe to use Cyno Solution?

 

[Subsea]

Sorry but I didn’t understand your answer. Is it safe to use Cyno Solution?

Yes it’s safe to use. Follow the directions and provide extra circulation to accommodate greater oxygen demand.

 

[Subsea]

Sorry but I didn’t understand your answer. Is it safe to use Cyno Solution?

Could you take a picture using white light, to illustrate how bad of a Cynobacteria problem you have. I have used ChemiClean when required.

Note Cynobacteria between glass and substrate. This sandbed is 25 years mature.