Cyano reduction questions

Reef Altitude · May 29, 2023

Hey everyone,

I am having some cyano for the last 4 to 5 weeks in the 200 gallon tank. It's around 9 months old now and has sand. Parameters are all stable and have been. Phosphates and nitrates are medium low but not zero. Coral all looks happy, lots of growth and polyps.

I do run a little more balanced spectrum and was not vacuuming the sand. We have nassarius snails and a dragon goby.

Looking for eco system style recommendations (don't just say Chemi clean or something ) and willing to take some time to get things balanced out.

I am dosing microbacter7 but not holding my breath haha.

Date	Temperature	Salinity	pH	Ammonia	Nitrate	Phosphate	Alkalinity	Calcium	Magnesium
units	°F	ppt		ppm	ppm	ppm	dKH	ppm	ppm
lower limit	76	32	8.1	0	1	0.01	8	380	1200
upper limit	80	35	8.3	0	10	0.01	12	450	1400
2-Oct	78.5	35	8.1	0	2	0.1	8	425	1320
9-Oct	78.5	35	8.1	0	1	0.1	8	450	1320
16-Oct	78.5	35	8.1	0	1	0.09	8.5	420	1260
23-Oct	78.5	35	8	0	1	0.08	8	440	1320
30-Oct	78.5	35	8.1	0	1	0.08	8	430	1290
6-Nov	78.5	35	8.1	0	0.5	0.8	7	420	1230
13-Nov	78.5	35	8.1	0	0.5	0.075	8	420	1260
20-Nov	78	35	8.1	0	0.5	0.075	8	420	1290
27-Nov	78.5	35	8	0	0.5	0.08	8.5	420	1260
4-Dec	78.2	35	8	0	0.5	0.075	8.5	410	1320
11-Dec	77.8	35	8.1	0	0.5	0.075	9	430	1320
18-Dec	78	35	8.1	0	0.5	0.075	8	430	1350
27-Dec	78.5	35	8.1	0	0.5	0.025	8	400	1350
1-Jan	78.5	35	8.1	0	0.5	0.05	8	390	1320
8-Jan	78.5	35	8.1	0	0.5	0.025	8.5	400	1290
15-Jan	78.5	35	8.1	0	0.5	0.025	8	400	1320
22-Jan	78.5	35	8.1		0.5	0.075	8	400	1350
29-Jan	78.5	35	8.1		0.5	0.075	9	390	1320
5-Feb	78.5	35	8.1		0.5	0.075	9.5	390	1320
12-Feb	78.5	35	8.1		0.5	0.075	8	420	1350
19-Feb	78.5	35	8.1		1	0.1	9	390	1400
26-Feb	78.5	34	8.1		1	0.1	8.5	420	1320
6-Mar	785	34	8.1		2	0.1	8.5	420	1290
12-Mar	78.5	34	8.1		2	0.1	8.5	430	1320
25-Mar	78.5	34	8.1		3	0.1	9	400	1290
4/7/2023	78.5	35	8.1		4	0.075	8	410	1300
4/16/2023	78.5	34	8.1		3	0.08	8	420	1320
4/30/2023	78	35	8	0	3	0.05	8.5	400	1260
5/19/2023	78	34	8	0	3	0.05	9	400	1350

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · May 29, 2023

Reef Altitude said:
Phosphates and nitrates are medium low but not zero.

Based on your chart, these are ultra low... If you decide to add coral, you'll likely need to raise them significantly, IMO.

Cyano is normal in new tanks, so what you described might not be anything to worry about. Can you post a photo of the tank?

doubleshot00 · May 29, 2023

Where is the cyano at?

Reef Altitude · May 29, 2023

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal said:
Based on your chart, these are ultra low... If you decide to add coral, you'll likely need to raise them significantly, IMO.

Cyano is normal in new tanks, so what you described might not be anything to worry about. Can you post a photo of the tank?

No orange filter, sorry.

Reef Altitude · May 29, 2023

doubleshot00 said:
Where is the cyano at?

Sand, tops of some rocks

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · May 29, 2023

Reef Altitude said:
No orange filter, sorry.

I can't see anything here to be concerned about...

90's reefer · May 29, 2023

Blow it off the rocks and suck it out from the bottom too is about all you can do. It will go away eventually.
A turkey baster is golden, lol.
I do use red slime remover at 1/2 strength with great results and no loss of life if it gets into my display.
I get cyano in my 45 sump every time I add old dead live rock in order to turn it back into live in around 6 month.

Reef Altitude · May 29, 2023

Seems that most are thinking it's a symptom of being around 9 months old and maturing still?

doubleshot00 · May 29, 2023

Reef Altitude said:
Sand, tops of some rocks

Try dr tims method. Refresh and waste away.

Reef Altitude · May 29, 2023

Here are some better pictures:

Lebowski_ · May 29, 2023

I've recently had luck using a regimen introduced to me by @vetteguy53081.

Here is a summary (see quote for instructions). I was reaching dangerous levels, as it had begun to overtake the stems of my Palys, the base of my stags, and was annoying all my mushrooms. Decided to go drastic, and it worked I've just begun to ramp up the lighting. I still see some, but we're talking a tiny patch less than a 1/2" randomly on the sand, rather than thick mats covering everything. I used to cringe when my lights came on in the morning, now I am enjoying the view again. On day 5, I had my first nitrate reading above 1ppm in months, and phosphate had begun to climb as well.

Additionally, I've made DIY coral snow based on a few recommendations - adding Microbactor7 to it. I had no cyano the next morning. I believe a combination of the 5 day plan + coral snow helped the good guys out-compete the cyano.

I've also heard Court Jesters and Cerith snails will help, but I believe the caveat, as with most nuisance algae, is that you have got to get it to very minimal levels first.

vetteguy53081 · May 29, 2023

Reef Altitude said:
Here are some better pictures:View attachment 3176706 View attachment 3176707

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.

Moronta12 · May 29, 2023

Cyano will go away by itself... Don't go crazy with it... Raise nutrients a little bit if you can.

Not woodyarmadillo · May 29, 2023

Lebowski_ said:
I've recently had luck using a regimen introduced to me by @vetteguy53081.

Here is a summary (see quote for instructions). I was reaching dangerous levels, as it had begun to overtake the stems of my Palys, the base of my stags, and was annoying all my mushrooms. Decided to go drastic, and it worked I've just begun to ramp up the lighting. I still see some, but we're talking a tiny patch less than a 1/2" randomly on the sand, rather than thick mats covering everything. I used to cringe when my lights came on in the morning, now I am enjoying the view again. On day 5, I had my first nitrate reading above 1ppm in months, and phosphate had begun to climb as well.

Additionally, I've made DIY coral snow based on a few recommendations - adding Microbactor7 to it. I had no cyano the next morning. I believe a combination of the 5 day plan + coral snow helped the good guys out-compete the cyano.

I've also heard Court Jesters and Cerith snails will help, but I believe the caveat, as with most nuisance algae, is that you have got to get it to very minimal levels first.

Came here to say this, but you beat me to it. I am sort of in the same boat. I used the coral snow and mb7 treatment. Easy, cheap, harmless. My tank has never looked so good but I also admit that I have made other changes in husbandry so I can’t say for sure how effective the coral snow actually was. All I know is that now that my cyano and algae are under control. I coral snow after every weekly water change and my tank is sparkly clean all the time lately.

Not woodyarmadillo · May 29, 2023

I think you’ve already got the right mentality about it as in not going too crazy on it with chemicals, but I personally don’t like to just let things like that run their course and see what happens. I’m going to be in there everyday blowing stuff off and scrubbing with a toothbrush to make sure the problem doesn’t get out of hand.

gbroadbridge · May 29, 2023

Reef Altitude said:
Here are some better pictures:View attachment 3176706 View attachment 3176707

I honestly would not worry about that, unless it starts to spread like crazy.

It'll probably go away on its own - just keep an eye on it.

If it starts to get away, removal via siphon hose, and small water changes will calm it down.

It is VERY normal in a tank that age - even will crop up when things get a little out of balance in terms of dissolved organics. Carbon helps a lot too.