Reasons for Cyano to grow

Gatling · Mar 5, 2019

Hi guys,

My tank is around 8 months old and has had cyano for a big portion of it's life. I am wondering why it keeps on coming back when I try to clean it.
I have
- Nitrates: 2ppm (still trying to bring it up for my hammer coral).
- Nitrites/Ammonia: 0
- Magnesium: 1500
- Calcium: 420
- Alk: 6.7
- AI Prime lights on a 9h time I think along side 3 fish.
- Temp: 76F

Could it be there isn't enough water flow..? I have a power head flowing 270GPH along with the stock pump. As well, I might try to pick up the InTank media basket which will help improve the overall flow. People have said that phosphates can be the issue but I am not sure where phosphates can leach from in my tank..

At this point, im just annoyed that cyano is on my Zoa and Hammer which I constantly try to remove without hurting the corals. My CUC aren't doing anything to help! lol

(I forgot to mention, I still don't think theres enough water flow since the top of the water looks stagnant near the front (away from the power heads). Should there be any stagnant water movement near the far sides from the power heads?)

Brad Miller · Mar 5, 2019

Two major things to look for would be low flow and too much white light spectrum along with reducing their on time to 4-5 hrs a day max.

Cleaning it will be temporary, we need to locate the problem, let’s let others chime in with suggestions for you.

Gatling · Mar 5, 2019

Brad Miller said:
Two major things to look for would be low flow and too much white light spectrum along with reducing their on time to 4-5 hrs a day max.

Cleaning it will be temporary, we need to locate the problem, let’s let others chime in with suggestions for you.

My lights are dominantly blue/UV. I am upgrading to the Sicce Syncra 1.0 but the flow was too much so I will try to dial it down but my old pump is still in right now. I honestly don't know what else there is to do with my tank..