Phytoplankton against cyano?

Chrille26 · May 16, 2020

Hi! I have started to notice some cyano around my tank since a few days back. Its not a major outbreak but if left untreated it might be soon. I have a few diffrent strains of Phyto at home right now, and accordning to my supplier using the strain Synechococcus at a dose of 100ml to 100 liters of water volume, and then adding 10ml to 100 liter volume about three times a week til the cyano is gone will work at removing it.
My question is, does anyone have experience using Phyto against cyano and is it worth a try or should I just add some red slime remover and get it done?

Thanks for any advice!

Hecticdude · May 16, 2020

I used chemiclean about 2 weeks ago and it knocked out 75% of my cyano. Doing weekly water changes, lowered nutrients and increased water flow. Down to about 5% and its fading fast.
It makes your skimmer go nuts for a bit but after recommended water change it was good.

taricha · May 17, 2020

Chrille26 said:
accordning to my supplier using the strain Synechococcus at a dose of 100ml to 100 liters of water volume, and then adding 10ml to 100 liter volume about three times a week til the cyano is gone will work at removing it.

That's funny. Synechococcus is a planktonic cyanobacteria. So maybe it's a good competitor for the same goodies as the cyano mat?
I suppose it's possible, if the phyto cyanobacteria cells are well exported by skimming.

Chrille26 · May 17, 2020

taricha said:
That's funny. Synechococcus is a planktonic cyanobacteria. So maybe it's a good competitor for the same goodies as the cyano mat?
I suppose it's possible, if the phyto cyanobacteria cells are well exported by skimming.

Yeah I noticed that when I did a quick google search on it also! I decided to give it a try because why not, and if it doesnt then ill buy some Chemiclean or red slime remover.
Did a 15% waterchange and siphoned as much cyano I could see then dosed a decent amount of phyto in a high flow area of the dt. Hopefully the cyano stays away.

JXNATC · Aug 17, 2022

Did the phyto keep the cyano at bay?

shakacuz · Aug 17, 2022

JXNATC said:
Did the phyto keep the cyano at bay?

also curious

Dinkins Aquatic Gardens · Aug 24, 2022

I would love to know if it worked also!

I can tell you that I dumped half a gallon of pods in a cyano infested tank and it cleared up in two months. I've heard the same from a few customers too, so I don't think it's coincidence.

So if the phyto didn't work, you might try some pods!

livinlifeinBKK · Aug 24, 2022

Just a heads up, the regular chemiclean doesn't actually bind phosphates according to Randy so if you're trying to lower nutrient levels that may now be the way to go...