Requesting help with long term cyano problem

[wbender1112]

Tank is a 75 gallon with a 20 gallon sump. Has been up for almost a year and a half. For about a year I have had an issue with what I believe is cyano.

Things that I have tried are: more frequent water changes, less frequent water changes, leaving the lights off, dosing vibrant, feeding less. During water changes I have scrubbed the rocks in the "old" water. Parameters: Salinity 1.025, Ammonia, Nitrite, & Nitrate all 0 (API test kit) pH 8.1, temp 80 F. Last spring I tried Red Slime Remover, it worked for a couple of weeks until the water changes diluted it to the point I could turn the skimmer back on (did not realize I should have just removed the skimmate cup).

Suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[jsker]

I used vibrant, along with my weekly cleaning. It took about 4 months of dosing twice a week. I also did two treatments of red slime remover.

 

[HuduVudu]

Your issue is gas exchange and biology.

For now open the lids on the top. I would work to replace the lights with something that doesn't cover the tank. If you are into DIY you might be able to DIY something to get the lights up off of the tank, and give better air access to the top of the tank.

Increase flow and surface agitation. The best method I have found to get good gas exchange is to point the power heads toward the surface from lower in the tank. You can look at my build thread to see what I consider ideal water movement. Power heads move a lot of water ... take advantage of this ... this is what they are made for.

Increase the flow through your open system. Try to increase the surface skimming this way. Surface skimming is very important in ensuring a large surface area and removing DOCs that block the air water interchange.

Get your skimmer back online. If you want to run without the cup that is fine. That skimmer is really good for getting solid gas exchange. Your stand is probably closed off. Open the doors to get circulation. You may want to run a line out of the stand from your skimmer to ensure less stagnant air. You may extend this out over time to the outside depending on what you find about indoor air quality which is what I talk about next.

If you can check your PH in your tank, then open the windows for an hour or so and see if your PH goes up. If it does you have indoor air quality issues. That is another list of things to work on if it is an issue.

Get legitimate live rock. If you have a friend with a tank that is solid and has been up for a while try to get some of his/her rock. Live Rock and Reef of Tampa Bay Salt Water sell awesome rock. You can also look into getting sand or other things from Indo Pacific Sea Farms. The goal is to increase biodiversity.

I am going to tag in @Paul B I think he lives near your (I am geographically challenged) and he might steer you in the right direction for getting some biodiversity from near where you live. Atlantic coast stuff won't be the greatest but it will be better than nothing.

This should give you something to work with.

 

[Rp8]

Watching...

 

[wbender1112]

Your issue is gas exchange and biology.

Thanks for the information.

A couple of clarifications on my setup.

The skimmer has been in use since the tank was set up except for 3-4 weeks last spring when I tried the red slime remover.
The stand does have an open back but will open the doors as well.

About 1/2 of the rock was live rock from a local hobbyist, via a LFS, who was taking down his tank.

I will work on your suggestions. Thanks, Bill

 

[9975]

I fought mine for months and this helped it out. I put a couple big air bubblers in my tank for it