I have had it.

[Loki]

I have been fighting a loosing battle with cyano. So after the lights went off two days ago, I changed the schedule so that they won't come on again. I threw a black sheet I used for photo shoots over the tank to block out the light from the room and window. The lights have been off for one day at this point. The tank temp raised 3 degrees more than the set point to hit 79.4. My plan is to go three days to try to get rid of it.

I looked with a flashlight earlier and did not notice a difference. I have my skimmer running very wet. Let's see what happens.

For the people that have done this. What results did you have?

 

[Loki]

In the past 12ish hours, from the last time I looked, the amount of cyano has gone down by 80% maybe more!! From being all over the rock there are just a few strands and some on the glass. At this rate it will all be gone with two more days. I will do my best to keep an eye on things and post my experience.

 

[revsgirl]

Good for you! Glad to hear it's clearing up!

 

[aherre07]

I have dealt with it before and my best bet was to up my flow and do a few extra water changes. Turning out the lights will help stop it from spreaing anymoer but if you have the excess nutrients in the water it will find its way back. wet skimming is a good thing as well. Good lock with it.

 

[reefpeeper]

do you run phosban?

 

[btkrausen]

I just "beat" it with a ton of water changes. It was everywhere, but after many water changes later, its gone.

 

[Loki]

I am running GFO and carbon. My bulbs are 5 months old ATI blue + running at 7 hours a day. I have a mag 18 return, reeflo dart pump closed loop, and two MP40's for flow. My skimmer is an ASM G3. All of this is on a 120g.

I think what started this was when w had our baby. We were in the hospital for 4 days and people were staying at our house. When I got home the skimmer was overflowing and there was some algae on the rock. I would think that someone fed the tank while I was gone. After that I also had the skimmer skim less wet to the point that two weeks would be about a full cup.

I turned the lights off a month ago for two days, but didn't put a sheet over it. With the window in the room it didn't go away. So this is attempt #2

 

[MyBoyGus]

I've had 3 major outbreaks of red slime, aka cyano. Was almost like clockwork, happening 6 months apart each time. Fortunately it looks like I am finally rid of it.

At lights out it always seemed to reduce dramatically, but them come back with a vengeance the next day. I run GFO and Biopellets. Still got it. I used Chemiclean (used as directed, VERY important) and it wiped it out with apparently no harmful effects. Using chemicals to solve a problem may not remove the underlying issue causing the outbreak, but it will put you a step ahead of it.

Good luck.

 

[Loki]

I have thought about chemiclean. If this little trek doesn't work then I will probably go that way.

 

[reefpeeper]

Just do small daily water changes and it should help.

 

[Degener8]

I currently have Cyano but I know I have excess nutrients and phosphates. Multiplr waterchanges and phosphate media for removal and I have significantly less than a few weeks back. Chemicals and removal media may resolve the issue for the moment but long term goal should be removing the cause. Even if this works. or if chemiclean works what is your long term strategy to stay rid of it?

 

[Dowtish]

I have had incredible success with adding more nitrifying bacteria to the tank. This bacteria will eventually out compete the cyano bacteria. Microbe Lift 'Special Blend' has been the most effective.

 

[Loki]

Thanks for the info. I will look into it. I also noticed that I have some in my fuge. So once the main tank lights come back on I'll look into something else.

 

[Loki]

I put a better light on my fuge were I keep the chaeto. Last night the t5 actually blew. so I ran to Wally world and snagged a clip on light until I can order an 18" t5. Hopefully once I get the fuge going in the right direction I'll be able to keep the chaeto out competing the other.

 

[jedidad]

when i had trouble with cyano i found the best way to get rid of it was to do lots of water changes and siphon it out directly. where i siphoned it it did not return most of the time.

 

[Loki]

I will start making a few 5 gallon buckets of saltwater today for some small water changes.

 

[DOI]

Lights out is very effective but if that fails chemiclean is great. In order to deter it from coming back keep constant water flow on the areas effected as well as storm the rock work of excess organics.

 

[Loki]

I looked at the tank today and what was gone last night is back. It is about 30% of what it was originally. But it's still back.

I don't know much about it. Does it have a routine? There isn't light in the tank but it back like there is. Im sure tonight it will go away again.

 

[DOI]

I looked at the tank today and what was gone last night is back. It is about 30% of what it was originally. But it's still back.

I don't know much about it. Does it have a routine? There isn't light in the tank but it back like there is. Im sure tonight it will go away again.

It doesn't really have a routine. It is both photosynthetic and chemosynthetic so it will survive in light and/or nutrient rich conditions. What are your nitrate and phosphate levels?