Probiotics and Cyano

[m0jjen]

Hey!

For a long time now i've been struggeling with cyano. Im currently using the reef salt but this bucket is coming to its end. Im guessing the Probiotic salt would fuel cyano and other pests unless the system is ULNS?

Best regards.

 

[Perry]

This one is tricky, the probiotics will go to work on the water change, but seems cyano is usually linked to imbalance with nitrates and phosphates. If one is low, and the other is high, this would likely be your source of cyano. I would try to use manual removal, make sure the skimmer is pulling dry, and do water changes with current salt to lower as naturally as you can. What are your current levels for Nitrates and Phosphates? Please explain your method of husbandry, for example; water changes, anything that you are dosing, biological media used, how old, etc... This will help. Cheers

 

[m0jjen]

Hi @Perry thanks for your respons!

The cyano is most likely linked to a high po4 and lower no3. My current No3 is about 2.5 ppm in the morning and roughly 1 ppm Before lights out. Phosphates were 0.018 yesterday according to my hanna phosphorus.

About 2-3 weeks ago i started a reactor with zeomix (200 ml), carbon (300 ml) and Phos minus (400 ml). So this might be why my phosphates arent that high and its just a mather of time Before the cyano is gone due to the recent use of GFO.

My normal husbandrys are:

Daily: NP-Pro and Pro Bio S 3 drops, manual removal of cyano with a siphon into sock
Weekly: 10% waterchange with reef salt (reefsalt bucket it almost empty hence the question in the first place), clean skimmercup
Monthly: Change reactor media

This is about it atm. Im thinking about skipping the zeomix for next rector period and see if an increase in nitrates would help me balance out the phosphates and hopefully the tank as a whole.

 

[Perry]

Hello,
Well this sounds really good as far as the plan goes, the extra information says a lot about your experience and understanding of the system, props! I would continue your course, and maybe decrease the Zeo Mix by 1/2 and the same portions on the others. This continued course should do the trick over time, nothing good comes quickly as you know Your plan sounds solid! Cheers

 

[m0jjen]

Regarding the salt used. Since my reef salt is almost consumed and i already have a probiotic bucket. Would it be dumb to use the probiotic salt while fending off cyano?

 

[m0jjen]

Missed the awnser in the first reply!

 

[m0jjen]

This one is tricky, the probiotics will go to work on the water change, but seems cyano is usually linked to imbalance with nitrates and phosphates. If one is low, and the other is high, this would likely be your source of cyano. I would try to use manual removal, make sure the skimmer is pulling dry, and do water changes with current salt to lower as naturally as you can. What are your current levels for Nitrates and Phosphates? Please explain your method of husbandry, for example; water changes, anything that you are dosing, biological media used, how old, etc... This will help. Cheers

Just to be sure. You ment i should make sure im dry skimming right?

 

[Perry]

Yes,
Otherwise you risk skimming off what you are dosing. Once the Probiotics begin to work, you should notice the skimmer production increase and darken. This is a good sign

 

[m0jjen]

Yes,
Otherwise you risk skimming off what you are dosing. Once the Probiotics begin to work, you should notice the skimmer production increase and darken. This is a good sign

The skimmate is pitch black, not that thick tho. Im abit confused when it comes to salt still (sorry, alot on my mind lately). I have about 2x 10% Worth of salt left in my reef salt bucket. Should i buy a new reef salt bucket or would my probiotic salt be ok to use since i already have a full unused bucket?

 

[Perry]

The difference is that Probiotic Reef Salt is really designed for demanding SPS tanks that wish to run the system ULNS. The salt has bacteria, aminos, and vitamins that go to work immediately upon changing of the water. NP Pro and Pro Bio S pair with the Probiotic Reef Salt. This is really up to you, I think the Probiotic Reef Salt is great, but with cyano, it is really hard to tell whether if will fuel the cyano, or help. This ultimately depends on how your corals and tank process the nutrients. I do not think it will hurt to use the Probiotic Reef salt, you may just have to be diligent with manual removals, and doing larger water changes until you balance the nutrients out. The salt is designed to use straight away, so you cannot premix the Probiotic Reef Salt and save, this is why many use the Reef Salt vs. the Probiotic Reef Salt. Hope that makes sense

 

[m0jjen]

@Perry It makes alot of sense and i understand the purpous of the both salts. What concerns me are the aminos and vitamins. Guess ill give it a go when the reef salt is depleted

I never premix salt so thats not a concern. Im guessing my tank is playong catch up atm with the nutrients so gfo and probiotic might help in lowering nutrients and limit the cyano.

My coral health is pretty poor at the moment due to many changes and the imbalance / cyano.