Cyanobacteria?

So without buying a protein skimmer, feeding less, lessening the lighting duration, what would you advise? water change to keep nitrates down? I have not done a TRUE water change since the end of my cycle, however i do get a lot of evaportation so i have topped off quite a bit. All livestock is doing great.

 

The lighting duration does nothing to help your problem of high nutrients. That's treating the symptom (like Tylenol), not the problem (in the case of a migraine, constricted blood vessels; Zomig/Imitrex/Fioricet). It keeps algae from growing, which may actually hinder your efforts to reduce nutrients, depending on how you decide to approach it.

Feeding less will help, but it's not a total solution; it just doesn't make the problem as bad as fast if you feed less.

Topping off does nothing to get rid of nitrates; when water evaporates, it's just the H2O that goes, not any of the stuff in it (salt, nitrates, phosphates).

The protein skimmer is quite literally considered one of the most important pieces of equipment to exist in the marine aquarium hobby, if not the most important. Look at how many people kept saltwater tanks before protein skimmers and after.
"What are the most important inventions of the last 50 years that made our present success possible?

The protein skimmer, lighting, powerheads and improvements in collection and transportation, which include collecting smaller specimens, better knowledge of animal husbandry and expedited transport routes. "
The protein skimmer is listed before even the advances in lighting as being among the most important. That says a whole lot about their usefulness, since corals are photosynthetic.

The only real option for dealing with nitrates in a serious, long-term fashion other than a protein skimmer is a refugium/turf scrubber/DSB. These are going to be more complicated to set up, and may cost nearly the same amount or more as a protein skimmer, depending on the amount of DYI you're comfortable with.

Why is it that you're so opposed to using a protein skimmer?

 

I'm not sure why your reply was, to my eyes, discrediting the ones that gave you advice. It may have been just me. If money is the issue, believe me, I feel your pain. I've been laid off since December and money is more than ultra tight.

In that case, I would say try a 20 to 25% water change first, then do 15% water changes every week until it goes away and finally resume water changing in the volume and regularity your tank needs. But seriously, feed A LOT less (like every other day), add media bags with carbon and phosphate removing media, the latter being the most important one in this case. A reactor is not a necessity, but it would help. If not in the budget, media bag will do alright. Bags and media will make your wallet around 25 bucks skinnier.

I do have a skimmer and bought it also because everyone told me it's a necessity. In fact, something I learned is that if you're going to keep consistent water changes, a skimmer is not necessary. There are a lot of people here that maintain good healthy tanks without one, but the water changes are religiously performed. On the other hand, I can't believe the crap my skimmer gets out of my tank, and once you see that for yourself you will know all that stuff can't possibly be good for your tank and livestock.

My cyano bacteria issue laster 4 days. I increased the flow by adding a power head and I have never seen it come back. Cyano is known to hate good flow, so provide that to your tank and it should be gone. Also, reduce light schedule. If the problem is huge, I would go with 1 or 2 hours as suggested, if not, not more than 5 or 6.

I am by no means an expert, having started in the salt water world only 8 months ago, but those given by other people and me are good advices, whether you decide to follow them or not, they're meant to help you.

In all honesty, if you know very well what you're getting into, and the goal was to get a lot of cyano bacteria, you're all set or heading that way. If you want to eradicate it (which I can safely assume by your initial post), you can invest a bit money and get media to run in it.

People here, in all majority are trying to help you solve the problem. Keep that in mind and read these posts again... they're just helping

Also, let me ask you to please, don't take any of what I said in the wrong way, again, these are custom made advices to your cyano issue and we are trying to give a helpful answer.

Good luck, bud. The battle is usually never ending, so arm yourself with good info! =)

- Mag.

 

also GFO is cheap insurance for controlling phosphates. Bulk reef supply has great deal on their stuff. I got 1lb granular GFO for like $20 bucks. placed in some a fine mesh nylon media bag and for the first time in 1 year I have 0 phosphates. plus 1 lb in my tank will last me 6+ months. just my .2 cents also their rox 0.8 carbon is awesome too.

 

I wasnt trying to discredit anyones opinions or advice given, even if it is repeated advice that i already know. The main reason I am waiting on a skimmer is the fact I am a broke starving college student..Haha. I am not willing right now to spend 50+ i in my own opinion do not feel is necessary. Eventually down the road I will get one, but for now I cannot bother with it. Ill do a water change tomorrow see what my nitrates are at and change the flow pattern. This cyano has only shown ever since I adjusted my two powerhead directions, I may change them back to the original setup. thx for the help!

 

No problem! I perceived you were worried about the money because I'm in the same train as you are. The water change will dissolve what's feeding the cyano and the flow increase or concentration on the particular troubled area will definitely help.

Good luck, my friend! Like I said, the battle is hard and almost never ending. Stay on it! =)

- Mag.