cyno and diatoms question

[greg0385]

I having a issue with a algae type substance on my sandbed, rocks and a brown dust algae on the glass. I have to clean it every other day otherwise its horrible looking. I have tried more flow and it didnt seem to help, i have been only running t5s only at 8 hours without any metal halides. I can turn the lights off for 48hours and it all just about disapear. I skimp on feeding to make sure its not a issue with uneaten food.
I do need to work on building up a better cleanup crew and im thinking about setting up a biopellet reactor but it takes awhile to start working.

With the swap just around the corner what are my options to raise my chances of keeping alive a few frags and get rid of this eye sore algae/cyno

 

[gmoney243]

First this is a natural process. Next you will have gha everywhere. But I like using a sand sifting goby they will keep your sand clean. I use 1 for my whole 180

 

[greg0385]

This is a different algae then i had before, the previous type look like long green wheat grass. This stuff is red/maroon and is growing everywhere and looks like slime. The type on the glass is dusty when i wipe it down and its brown/green. I know its new tank symptoms, i just want to stay ontop of things.

I have overcome issues prior and want to keep things going that way.

Its funny that you say get a sand cleaner, picked up a golden head sleeper goby today!

 

[gmoney243]

Purple/slimy probly cyano see if it blows away easily. If so id suggest more movement. What poweheads u got?

 

[Dowtish]

Adding some microbacter 7 will add some balance back to the tank. Cyano is a bacteria, so if you add more good bacteria to compete with it, it will balance back out. or out compete it, so to speak.

 

[gmoney243]

ive heard just as many claim its just uneaten food that has rotted causing cyano not bacteria unbalances. but i think i agree with chris thats its an imbalance. either way i think we can all agree if it has no nutrients its gona die(unless your name is mitch). you need to get some nutrient export fast you should have set this up first thing either bio pellets or algae turf scrubber or even macro algaes. since u have nothing in your tank your just wasting electricity and life using your MH bulbs i would only run 1 or 2 of the T5 bulbs just to light it up till u are ready for corals. 1 bulb woud light your tank well enough to see fish and such but wouldnt be causing nearly as much algae problems. hate to tell you this man but i wouldnt put corals in a tank less than 6months old unless you really know what your doing and arent having any issues. i would hate to see you loose a bunch and be distraught and want to sell out after spending a ton at the frag swap. most of the corals you will see will have some frags available locally when you are ready im sure. at least the really cool stuff anyway i doubt you will see many corals you havent seen before or cant get online or through us locals.

 

[angrycubano]

ive heard just as many claim its just uneaten food that has rotted causing cyano not bacteria unbalances. but i think i agree with chris thats its an imbalance. either way i think we can all agree if it has no nutrients its gona die(unless your name is mitch). you need to get some nutrient export fast you should have set this up first thing either bio pellets or algae turf scrubber or even macro algaes. since u have nothing in your tank your just wasting electricity and life using your MH bulbs i would only run 1 or 2 of the T5 bulbs just to light it up till u are ready for corals. 1 bulb woud light your tank well enough to see fish and such but wouldnt be causing nearly as much algae problems. hate to tell you this man but i wouldnt put corals in a tank less than 6months old unless you really know what your doing and arent having any issues. i would hate to see you loose a bunch and be distraught and want to sell out after spending a ton at the frag swap. most of the corals you will see will have some frags available locally when you are ready im sure. at least the really cool stuff anyway i doubt you will see many corals you havent seen before or cant get online or through us locals.

I agree. I have very little nutrients but junk still loves my tank.

 

[greg0385]

Stopped by MCR and got some microbateria7 and some biopellets will start a small amount out tomorrow. Hope this will help!!

 

[islander84]

The MB7 will definitely help. Read the directions and follow them. Once your cyano is all gone you can cut back on the dosing......and go slow with the reactor.....remember nothing good happens fast in a reef tank, only bad stuff happens fast.