Cynobacteria?

TK_KW · Mar 31, 2020

So #reefsquad #Reefsquadleaders

After dosing Vibrant for Bryopsis, and removing chateo for a few mounts, my tank became unstable. My Nitrates had hit zero for a period time. Since I've been dosing NeoNitro, and I have measurable Nitrates again.

Picture are with whites on, no filters.

Seems in spots it traps bubble. Some spots looks a little stringy.

I have Chemclean I was going to dose? Or what is best plan of attack? What about going dark for a couple days? First time I've experienced this.

This started showing up a couple weeks ago. Sandbed was always white prior with no issues. Until Nitrates bottomed out

Billldg · Mar 31, 2020

It looks like Cyano to me. I have used Chemiclean with great success. My SPS actually looked better after I used it, not to say the same can be said for you, but hopeful.

Your tank will turn red for a day, but mine cleared up the next day.

TK_KW · Mar 31, 2020

Billldg said:
It looks like Cyano to me. I have used Chemiclean with great success. My SPS actually looked better after I used it, not to say the same can be said for you, but hopeful. Your tank will turn red for a day, but mine cleared up the next day.

Ok, anything in particular I should do before I dose? Just remove skimmer cup and let overflow for aeration do you think? Should I try and manually remove as much as possible? Seems in the morning before lights come on, it is 85 percent gone. Then end of day looks like those photos

Billldg · Mar 31, 2020

I just followed the instructions and in 2 days I believe, been a few months, it was gone. I did have a gyre already pointed towards the surface a little, so it did ripple the water a good bit. I did siphon as much as I could as it was all over my rocks and sand, I had a bad case of it.

Idoc · Mar 31, 2020

It looks brown and not red in the pics? If brown, I'd be leary of dinos. I've heard of infestations taking off after using vibrant.

TK_KW · Mar 31, 2020

Idoc said:
It looks brown and not red in the pics? If brown, I'd be leary of dinos. I've heard of infestations taking off after using vibrant.

I'd say it's more red for sure

kireek · Mar 31, 2020

Looks like cyanobacteria to me.You could try to add a little more flow around those areas.A inexpensive circulation pump should help.

Idoc · Apr 1, 2020

TK_KW said:
I'd say it's more red for sure

That's definitely good news! Dinos really suck.

RichtheReefer21 · Apr 1, 2020

Agree with bill, chemiclean works. But flow is possibly the root cause. Cyano has a really tough time in any flow. Chances are you have a few "dead" spots, or near-dead in those area for flow. The organics pile up in said spots, and cyano shows up to consume it.