Cyano Nightmare

I have been battling cyano for the last month or so. It started out slow and progressively got a bit more intense. I even went to the length of purchasing a BRS Phosphate Reactor to try and combat phosphates. The reactor has been running for close to 2 weeks now and I am still getting blooms. They usually take a couple or few days to come back after I siphon them. Water params are s.g. 1.023, nitrate 20ppm, nitrite 0, ph about 8.3. I only feed every other day and lights are out of the question because I just purchased a new fixture and the problem had started before I got it. I have no clue what else to do.

 

Are you using RO/DI water?

 

add flow to the really bad spots. how old is the tank?

 

You got new lights, how long do you leave them on?

 

Yes I use ro/di for each top off, the lights are on built in timer, actinic comes on a half hour before and goes off a half hour after 10 k's, but total time on is ten and a half hours. This is including the first and last half hours of operation where only the actinics are on. The tank is about 6 months old.

 

is it a reef tank?

flow would be my 1st thought also

if its a FOWLR I would suggest trying Phosgaurd by Seachem ( used that in my FOWLR and increased flow , cyno was gone in a fortnight)
there is still debate about the safety of Aluminum based phosphate removers for tanks with corals in, so GFO is a better media in many peoples opinions for a reef tank

when you have just started using a GFO media it does take a while to have significant effect IMO
I have found through experimentation that using half as much as the recomended amount and changing it twice as often, improves the performance

with GFO you cant tell when its exhuasted, you may read 0 phosphates, but thats because algae consumes it as fast as its generated
so when you 1st start using it, change it more regular until your tank issues are in control and then commence using standard QTY and frequency of changes

thats been my experience with it anyway

Steve

 

Okay. Thats what I was wondering. I am using the pellet GFO from bulk reef supply. I figured it would take a while to get a hold on the cyano. I havent even tested for phosphates because I know that it will just read zero. Do you think my lighting schedule is a little too long too possibly?

 

bump

 

what kind of flow do you have in the tank? as far as powerheads and pumps, filters etc

 

I have two powerheads (one unknown make with rotating head that I got for free used at work and an oceanic p.h.) that do the majority of the circulation. However, my hang on back that holds my carbon also produce good flow and surface agitation as well as the return from my CPR BAKPACK skimmer. Before you ask the HOB is not my only source of filtration...lol I also run a 10 gal sump and a Phophate reactor. The weird part is that cyano is even growing where I have almost direct powerhead flow (corner where sand get blown into a pile). All and all I dont think flow would be my concern. Unfortunately.