PLEASE.. just help me ugh!

Hurley009 · Nov 2, 2014

Ok, I've hade my tank for about 7 months. I can get my tank to look pretty.. my sand states covered in this stuff I thought were part of the tank cycling... but every place i go to and ask about what i can do.. they are shocked my 45 gallon tank hasn't cycled.
It is almost like a slime that is brown in color. I will share photos. I move the sand around, try and keep it from settling on rocks... it's just back every day and I've about had it. I love my tank but I've done everything. I got little crabs that were suppose to a handle it... nothing.. turbos... nothing.. a sand sifting fish... stays hidden and hasn't even done a difference.. a blend who doesn't do crap.. i have a skimmer and even added a filter... nothing!!

I cut my lighting from 8 hrs a day.. to 4... got plenty of circulation.. don't over feed.. and i went from weekly water changes to big weekly incase I was just resetting my cycle.

PLEASE HELP ME! I'M STARTING TO LOSE MY MIND AND LOVE FOR THIS HOBBY

Also the photos are after moving it and stuff so it's not like thick or anything.

Hurley009 · Nov 2, 2014

The photos

Jimbo662 · Nov 2, 2014

Can you list your equipment and water parameters?

Hurley009 · Nov 2, 2014

Two circulation pumps (800gph)
Protein skimmer (Octo something)
Filter (aqueon)

1.025
Every is 0 across the board
8.0 ph.
9-10 water hardness
420 calcium

fishroomlady · Nov 2, 2014

I commented in your other thread but I'll add one more thing in this one, having really good flow helps keep cyano at bay after manual removal. I also wanted to comment that many reefers have battled cyano successfully so hang in there, you can beat it and get back to enjoying the hobby!

Hurley009 · Nov 2, 2014

Thank you! I just feel like I'm fighting a never ending battle! I had a starfish that was eating my fish... this.. just found out my cleaner shrimp Is missing... gah! So frustrating!

Zacco · Nov 2, 2014

Question #1 : Where are you getting your water?

Hurley009 · Nov 2, 2014

Local saltwater fish store

Jimbo662 · Nov 2, 2014

you mentioned you had a sand sifting fish. what about your clean up crew? And are your powerheads blowing near the lower portion of the tank?

Hurley009 · Nov 2, 2014

5 crabs
2 of those snails that stay under the sand
Benny
Sand sifter fish
Did have a cleaner shrimp but I don't see him anywhere... i just noticed.. and that's it

Hurley009 · Nov 2, 2014

The two turbo snails I had died

Zacco · Nov 2, 2014

Any other places you can try to get water? I had a bad experience once when I decided to buy water from a different store than my usual one. With in a few days of using their water I had a huge algae bloom.It took me three aquarium stores to actually find good water. They may say their selling R.O. but that may not be the case. I've heard horror stories of aquarium stores selling people tap water. Only way to tell is to test the water for phosphates and silicates. Are you running a GFO Reactor?

Hurley009 · Nov 2, 2014

Idk what that is. Still new at this

Zacco · Nov 2, 2014

Should I say "Phosban Reactor" Granular Ferric Oxide (GFO) is a metal compound that binds Phosphates and Silicates and wont let it escape back into the water column. You phosphates and silicates are probably the cause of your algae bloom. And I would have to suspect the water source being the problem. If you cant try another place to get water I would sugest that you buy a cheap Phosban reactor ( 2 little fishes brand) and get some GFO running. 1 tablespoon for every four gallons of water. Change every 3 weeks to a month. Ever since I started using Phosban Reactors in my Aquariums I've had zero algea problems.

Hurley009 · Nov 2, 2014

I'll look into it! Thank you!

Jimbo662 · Nov 2, 2014

You should probably have more of a clean up crew. I've got a 75g tank and have a couple of dozen snails..several different kind. how many fish do you have and how often and what do you feed? Could be too many nutrients going in and feeding the algae and nothing to help eat it when it grows.