New Tank Cyano

Shameless_Dood · Apr 5, 2017

I have a newish tank (about 2 months) and it's going through it's "I'm new so I'm gonna be ugly as sin." stage and I have cyano (confirmed it with the H202 test) just about everywhere the light touches. The 3 fish I currently have it there get about 1/4 to 1/3 of a cube of frozen food a day.

So what does everyone do to battle it in a new tank? I'm dosing Vibrant currently, but in my last tank it never got rid of my cyano...everything else yes! but not the cyano. I'm holding out hope, but any other suggestions?

Jisko · Apr 5, 2017

When I had this problem is was caused by the water I was using... so what are you using for water?

also whats ur phosphate level

Shameless_Dood · Apr 5, 2017

My own RODI, all the filters were changed out when I started filling the tank. Shows 0 TDS on the output side.

ChevelleJason · Apr 5, 2017

Check you Phosphate (po4). Cyano requires very little to thrive. If possible, I would increase the flow in the tank as well (powerheads).

If high Phos, it may be worth incorporating GFO in a reactor or media bag.

Chemiclean or other Red Slime removers are a last resort.

Good luck!

Mariners · Apr 5, 2017

Are they on the rocks or the sand bed? I would do a 25% water change and try to siphon out the cyano on sand and such or if it is on some of the rocks gently use a toothbrush (in a bucket not the tank). What the others have mentioned about checking your water parameters is important especially phosphates and i would also include nitrates.

Mariners · Apr 5, 2017

If cyano persists, then maybe reduce the time of lights. How long do you have the lights on? 8-10 hrs? Reduce it to 6 or even 4, if is really bad then you could try to starve the cyano with a 3 day blackout (if you dont have corals this is an option). Any direct sunlight hitting the tank?

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 5, 2017

Keep up on WC's. this will reduce no3 and a small amount of po4, as well as lowing the dissolved organics. It'll also help keep the ph up. Cyano does like co2.
Watch feedings. If the bioflrer is new the cyano will gladly process the nutrints and organics in the water.
I would reconsider the VIbrant. One of the common side effects is cyano. The theory being its dissolving algaes and creating more organics and it also has a carbon source to feed bacterias directly.

Shameless_Dood · Apr 6, 2017

saltyfilmfolks said:
Keep up on WC's. this will reduce no3 and a small amount of po4, as well as lowing the dissolved organics. It'll also help keep the ph up. Cyano does like co2.
Watch feedings. If the bioflrer is new the cyano will gladly process the nutrints and organics in the water.
I would reconsider the VIbrant. One of the common side effects is cyano. The theory being its dissolving algaes and creating more organics and it also has a carbon source to feed bacterias directly.

You may be onto something with Vibrant, I dosed yesterday and cyano appears to have taken off in the fuge.