cyto - coming and going

Just wondering - the tank is in it's third month I have been battling cyto since I turned on the lights.
0 ammonia
0 nitrite
under 5 ppm nitrogen
PH 8.0
cal 400

The bulbs are 1 month old - blue and daylight
lights on 10 hours a day

Just picked up a protein skimmer (used need to bleach it)

Right now do weekly 10% w/c and 1 top up per week with RO water.
75 gal
5 gal refugium
45 lb LR
10 Lb of base rock

Fan breaking the surface - 1600
extra pump added last week back to front in low flow area

The cyto is almost gone by morning - then by mid day it grows back

the cyto is 1/2 of what it was 3 weeks ago

I also have cheto in the refugium

Is this normal?

 

Yes normal.

I would leave the lights off for a day or two. Make sure you are using only RO/DI for water changes. Add some chempure elite or other quality carbon, or some GFO. And try changing the flow pattern in the tank to the areas that are growing the most cynobacteria and make sure the water surface is not collecting a film and is showing good movement.

 

How do you maintain the right salinity topping off once a week? I top off every day.
Protein skimmer will definitely help.

 

Well I guess it would be twice a week (10% water change) with added fresh for top up.

I do get a film on the surface right now - were the fan blows the top off in the middle of the tank - but has a film toward the end of the tank. I guess the protein skimmer will take care of this?
BTW is the best way to clean the used protein skimmer, is using bleach like a 60/40 solution?

 

You can go that route just make sure you do not leave the bleach solution sitting in it and rinse really well.

The skimmer may help with the surface film, but I would consider different directional flow. Not only will it improve the cyno problems but pH and oxygen dispersal as well.

 

NO, never bleach.... use vinegar only. That way if there is anything left on it when you put it into service, it won't kill everything in your tank.

 

If you are getting a film on the top of your tank you need more circulation or change its direction. Maybe point a powerhead or your filter return up so it breaks the water up a little. Aeration is one of the most important things in your system. Protein skimmer will help.;D

 

You can use a bleach mixture ( mostly water ) to clean skimmer without problems, same way you can soak rocks in it to kill aiptasia, algaes or majano. Just rinse well and dry.

 

Thank you for all the help - love this forum

- Yea I will actually use vinegar and let it set for 48 hours - then scrub.
I think I will need a second fan or power head.

Great new though - 90% of the cyto was still gone when I got home. So I think I am winning the battle. Nitrogen is less then 5.