Cyano problem

Hi everyone,

I've recently been getting more and more cyano problems (it's purple hairy algae, correct me if its not cyano) in the past 2-3 months and am not sure what the issue may be.

Here are my tank specs:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: <5ppm
Calcium: 420ppm
Alkalinity: 10-11
Phosphate: 0
Water: RO water using IO salt mix
Lighting: 6x18w Current USA Nova Extreme Pro (bulbs 2 weeks old)
Tank: 44gal, ~50lb lr, 50lb sand
Fish: tomato clown, 6-line wrasse, chromis

The tank is a year old.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

Oh I forgot to add that on. I have about 900-950gph. So cycles about 20 times per hour. Mostly turbulent flow.

 

Your flow is minimal IMO. I would increase it to around 50x turnover and, as mission eluded to, make sure there are minimal dead spots. Most problems can be taken care of with good flow. As for the current problem. If you have a FO tank, I would knock off the lights for a few weeks for starters. Also, what kind of clean up crew do you have? Florida Cerith snails are good to add and will take care of your cyano in due time. If you do not have a clean up crew, look at reefcleaners.org. They have a custom section. You fill out the form, they suggest what is best for you.

 

Before clean up crew as not many critters prefer cyano over their normal food, I would increase alk and pH, remove organics via water changes and carbon filtration. On top of that I would make sure the skimmer is adequetely rated for the bio load. I would increase flow and if possible add ozone. Then try dwarf blue leg crabs(c.tricolor) and a few other inverts. Last resort, use Chemi Clean or similar antibacterial agent.

Good luck

 

Increase your flow to 50x or more. When I had cyano in my 20, I was at about 20x. I bumped my flow up to 60x and never saw it again and my fish LOVE the added current. My 4-stripe damsel loves to swim against the flow where it looks like it's just floating there.