Cyano or something else? - Pic attached

[JFinlay]

Curious if this is Cyano mainly because it is a very bright and thick red, doesn’t seem stringy or dark red like Cyano usually looks.

The hammer I picked up from somebody local, got scammed on it, and I believe that coral brought whatever tf that is into my tank

I’m also confused because I thought Cyano came from low nutrients? I have the opposite problem in my tank right now. Nitrates are at 30, coming down from 40 after I installed a HOB fuge two weeks ago.

I may make a separate post for this but unrelated, I also have a film on my water surface that I assume is from excess nutrients as well. I have PLENTY of surface agitation and that’s the only advice ppl give for the film issue. Idk

 

[JFinlay]

Please let me know if the pictures are bad, I think uploading onto the site made them terrible quality. Was lazy and didn’t feel like turning on white lights but will if it helps ID

 

[twentyleagues]

Yup you need to get pics in white light can't really tell what's going on.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Yes, turn on the white lights. Do you not have an overflow box which would end your film issue.

 

[JFinlay]

Yes, turn on the white lights. Do you not have an overflow box which would end your film issue.

I’m sumpless, tidal 75 HOB filter and HOB aquamaxx refugium, with two wave makers in a 40G breeder. Clueless how the film is still there, will retake pics now

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I may make a separate post for this but unrelated, I also have a film on my water surface that I assume is from excess nutrients as well. I have PLENTY of surface agitation and that’s the only advice ppl give for the film issue. Idk

Post a pic of the water surface, or a shirt video, if you can. Do you have any powerheads in the tank? A HOB filter, in my humble opinion, is not sufficient for surface agitation.

 

[JFinlay]

White light pics

 

[JFinlay]

Video of surface agitation, film is hard to see but it’s definitely there.

 

[JFinlay]

Hate that you can’t upload videos, will post it on YT then post the link here

 

[JFinlay]

Post a pic of the water surface, or a shirt video, if you can. Do you have any powerheads in the tank? A HOB filter, in my humble opinion, is not sufficient for surface agitation.

July 20, 2023

youtube.com

I also have a second powerhead behind my arch that isn’t seen in the video

 

[vetteguy53081]

White light pics

This is cyano. Cyano blooms typically start when water nutrient concentrations of phosphate, nitrate and other organic compounds are too high.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Protein skimmer which fills water with tiny air bubbles. As bubbles form from the reaction chamber, dissolved organic compound molecules stick to them. Foam forms at the surface of the water and is then transferred to a collection cup, where it rests as skimmate. When the protein skimmer does not output the best efficiency or you do not have the suitable protein skimmer to cover the tank, the air bubbles created by the skimmer might be insufficient. And this insufficiency of air bubbles can trigger the cyano to thrive.
- Overstocking / overfeeding, your aquarium with nutrients is often the culprit of a cyano bloom
- Adding live rock that isn’t completely cured which acts like a breeding ground for red slime algae
- If you don’t change your water with enough frequency, you’ll soon have a brightly colored red slime algae bloom. Regular water changes dilute nutrients that feed cyanobacteria and keeps your tank clear
- Using a water source with nitrates or phosphates is like rolling out the welcome mat for cyano. Tap water is an example
- Inadequate water flow, or movement, is a leading cause of cyano blooms. Slow moving water combined with excess dissolved nutrients is a recipe for pervasive red slime algae development

I recommend to reduce white light intensity or even turn them off for 3-5 days. Add liquid bacteria daily for a week during the day at 1.5ml per 10 gallons. Add Hydrogen peroxide at night at 1ml per 10 gallons. Add a pouch of chemipure Elite which will balance phos and nitrate and keep them in check.

After the 5 days, add a few snails such as cerith, margarita, astrea and nassarius plus 6-8 blue leg hermits to take control.

 

[JFinlay]

This is cyano. Cyano blooms typically start when water nutrient concentrations of phosphate, nitrate and other organic compounds are too high.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Protein skimmer which fills water with tiny air bubbles. As bubbles form from the reaction chamber, dissolved organic compound molecules stick to them. Foam forms at the surface of the water and is then transferred to a collection cup, where it rests as skimmate. When the protein skimmer does not output the best efficiency or you do not have the suitable protein skimmer to cover the tank, the air bubbles created by the skimmer might be insufficient. And this insufficiency of air bubbles can trigger the cyano to thrive.
- Overstocking / overfeeding, your aquarium with nutrients is often the culprit of a cyano bloom
- Adding live rock that isn’t completely cured which acts like a breeding ground for red slime algae
- If you don’t change your water with enough frequency, you’ll soon have a brightly colored red slime algae bloom. Regular water changes dilute nutrients that feed cyanobacteria and keeps your tank clear
- Using a water source with nitrates or phosphates is like rolling out the welcome mat for cyano. Tap water is an example
- Inadequate water flow, or movement, is a leading cause of cyano blooms. Slow moving water combined with excess dissolved nutrients is a recipe for pervasive red slime algae development

I recommend to reduce white light intensity or even turn them off for 3-5 days. Add liquid bacteria daily for a week during the day at 1.5ml per 10 gallons. Add Hydrogen peroxide at night at 1ml per 10 gallons. Add a pouch of chemipure Elite which will balance phos and nitrate and keep them in check.

After the 5 days, add a few snails such as cerith, margarita, astrea and nassarius plus 6-8 blue leg hermits to take control.

Thank you for the in-depth response, so I had it mixed up with low/no nutrients causing Cyano? It is excessive nutrients that will? That’s the thing, the tank has been up for 6 months now, I have a very large CuC purchased from reef cleaners, idk what made this all of a sudden bloom. I do a 10% water change weekly, 5 gallons.

Do you think Seachem stability will do for liquid bacteria or something else?

I opted for a HOB fuge over HOB skimmer, should I increase fuge light timing?

This ALL started when I went on vacation for a week. My tank was way over fed. I usually feed 1/5 of a frozen Mysis cube, they were putting whole ones in.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thank you for the in-depth response, so I had it mixed up with low/no nutrients causing Cyano? It is excessive nutrients that will? That’s the thing, the tank has been up for 6 months now, I have a very large CuC purchased from reef cleaners, idk what made this all of a sudden bloom. I do a 10% water change weekly, 5 gallons.

Do you think Seachem stability will do for liquid bacteria or something else?

I opted for a HOB fuge over HOB skimmer, should I increase fuge light timing?

This ALL started when I went on vacation for a week. My tank was way over fed. I usually feed 1/5 of a frozen Mysis cube, they were putting whole ones in.

Stability is ok but best for cycling. Lights off will be most important. You will see results overnight.

 

[JFinlay]

Stability is ok but best for cycling. Lights off will be most important. You will see results overnight.

Hard to do lights off with all the coral I have
Any specific bottled bac you recommend?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hard to do lights off with all the coral I have
Any specific bottled bac you recommend?

MicroBacter 7 and leave at least whites off

 

[JFinlay]

MicroBacter 7 and leave at least whites off

For sure, will leave whites off until I see it getting better, thanks a bunch for the help and recommendations

 

[JFinlay]

MicroBacter 7 and leave at least whites off

I'm getting everything in order so sorry to keep bothering, is it safe to use chemi pure with activated carbon in my HOB filter? I always run carbon, but am planning on picking up microbacter and chemipure from the LFS today.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I'm getting everything in order so sorry to keep bothering, is it safe to use chemi pure with activated carbon in my HOB filter? I always run carbon, but am planning on picking up microbacter and chemipure from the LFS today.

ChemiPure contains high grade carbon

 

[JFinlay]

ChemiPure contains high grade carbon

Take it it's safe to use both until params are in check then, I'm going to do a water change, and change all of my filtration inside of my HOB except biofilter. Think I need a better light for my fuge too lol, it never ends!

 

[fish farmer]

For a little patch like that I would just siphon it out during your next water change, maybe blow if off the coral and siphon.