Is it cyanobacteria or what?

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by QTYPIE424, Mar 12, 2007.

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  1. QTYPIE424

    QTYPIE424 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Ok guys I am having a problem that is really driving me nuts. Im having to do 10-20% water changes every 4 days. All my parameters are fine as far as ph, temp and nitrates. Hours after I do my water changes the slimy maroon stuff starts to form and spread again. My tank is requiring alot of maintenance right now and it is driving me nuts. I put a post on here before about this and was told to use phosphate remover. Well I bought this stuff called phosguard put the desired amount in a mesh bag and put it in my filter system but it is not working not even helping a little so my question is is it cyanobacteria or am I still not doing something right?
    Q
     
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  3. QTYPIE424

    QTYPIE424 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Maybe this will help a little better. Take a look at the pic!
    Q
     

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  4. coral reefer

    coral reefer Giant Squid

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    refer to algae with good water thread! It should help ya!
     
  5. m_lacom99

    m_lacom99 Stylophora

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    Looks like cyano to me... :-/

    What are your water parameters? Specially phosphates. What else do you have as far as equipment on the tank? What is your light setup? How often and how much do you feed your fish?

    Sorry for all the questions but we may get a clue with any of your answers.

    Marc.
     
  6. QTYPIE424

    QTYPIE424 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Lets see I have 65W 10000K and 65W 20000K lights, whisper power filter and a seaclone protein skimmer. My parameters were all fine today when I checked em. Temp was between 88-90, nitrates were 0.1, ph was 8.1. I do not have the stuff to check my phosphates cuz I figured if my phosphates were not ok I would know it, like now!! I feed my fish twice a day and I have my lights on for about 10 hours a day, which I think I am gonna cut it down to about 8. I hope this helps ya.
    Q
     
  7. m_lacom99

    m_lacom99 Stylophora

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    Ok i hope this is a typo cause 88-90 is way to high... 78-80 ok.. not higher than that please. Get a phosphate test kit, right now you know you have a problem but it might not be phosphates (probably is though). I think you are over feeding also, and that doesnt help with your nitrates and phosphates. I feed one every other day without a problem. How big of a tank are we talking about here
     
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  9. QTYPIE424

    QTYPIE424 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    No thats not a type! My tank has been setup over 6 months and all of a sudden I had to adjust the temp on my heater cuz it was getting too hot. That is another reason why I am thinking I need to turn down the lighting. I also always leave my moonlights on which I shouldnt do cuz it will only add heat as well. I have a 55 gallon tank. It seems like my fish are starving when I feed them twice a day.
     
  10. 4G1v3N

    4G1v3N Spaghetti Worm

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    I dont think your lights are your problem for heat! I think it might be a faulty heater or a hot room! The cyano could be caused from lack of water movement and allot of nutrients in the water. Maybe add a power head in there check and check the phosphates like mark has been saying. 90 degree water is way to hot, you going to kill your fish and coral. If they dont die from the heat they will die from stress ie ick ect.. get the temp down with a fan over the top of the tank and lower the room temp. also i would turn your heater off. good lick man let us know how everything turns out.
    -Jordan
     
  11. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

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    Check the carbonates and Ca and get some water circulation in the tank a PH reading means little really as PH is controlled by carbonate levels.. nd if you are testing the PH with a liquid drop /color changing test kits you may be so far off it matters not. Also if you are getting a 8.1 in the afternoon its way to ,low and if its in the early AM then you are good to go..PH means nothing really.
     
  12. nemo79

    nemo79 Zoanthid

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    Wow, that temp. is way too high, you're going to cook your livestock. I would definitly change the heater and get a good brand, the highest my temp ever got was 82 and that was on the hottest days in the summer.

    Feed only once every other day and minimal amounts, fish will always act as though they are starved, it's their nature to hunt for food so don't be worried about starving them.

    Add some flow to your tank so you don't have dead spots where cyano will develope. Syphon out the cyano to remove it.