Raising PH to kill Cyano?

Hey All,

I have a question, can raising my PH higher than 8.4 but not exceeding 9 help in killing off this PITA Cyano issue I have going on? I am really trying to avoid going and purchasing Red Slime Remover or any version of meds.

Also, I have with the Cyano recently had a couple Aptisa pop up, my first, oh joy. I have heard that Kalkwasser both raises PH AND kills off Aptisa. Is this the way I should go? If so, what's the best way to do so.

Thanks for all the help in advance!

 

Approach the nutrient issue first, then go after the cyano, otherwise it'll just grow back over and over again...

 

def don't raise PH to try and get rid of it, you'll just be putting your livestock/inverts/corals at risk.

I usually copy/paste this below post I made a while back, maybe it'll help you beat your cyano as I'm not a fan of chemicals to beat it.

These suggestions/tips may help you figure it out. I also feel diatoms and cyano are somewhat of a rite of passage in new tanks that is unavoidable (not sure if your tank is new, just wanted to mention that).

I had also bought chemi-clean to dose, but the more I read, the more I believed that dosing chemicals to rid the cyano was like many have said, using a "band aid". You will get much better piece of mind when you find out what is the cause of the cyano and along the way you will gain better tank husbandry IMO.

Here are a few things I did to rid myself of the evil red slime:

- use RO/DI water only, that tests at 0 TDS
- cut back on your feeding, I went from once a day to every three days
- rinse any frozen foods prior to feeding (in RO water if you can)
- ramp up circulation in any dead areas of the tank
- pick out any clumps of red slime you can, use baster/siphon/tongs
- double your water changes to keep Nitrate down
- clean out all powerheads/skimmer/filters etc.
- make sure your bulbs are still good
- cut back your light cycle by maybe 40%
- make sure your tank isn't overstocked
- running a protein skimmer is a def + if not must
- run a phosphate remover media (I use a reactor with Chemi Pure Elite)

It seems like a lot of work, but it's much better getting rid of it naturally then wondering when it may come back if you dose with chemicals.

Best of luck & it will go away even though it seems like you're fighting uphill

 

What would be your best advice for doing so?

Thx

 

see above ^^

 

Hey Joe,

Thanks for that! Here is my replies. Oh and my ttank is now about 6 months old.

- use RO/DI water only, that tests at 0 TDS- I get it from my lfs so ehhhh, ordering a 5 stage from bulk reef supply next week
- cut back on your feeding, I went from once a day to every three days- done, was only feeding PE MYSIS. but only rinsing with tap.
- rinse any frozen foods prior to feeding (in RO water if you can)
- ramp up circulation in any dead areas of the tank- Doing today, turning my powerheads more to the substrate and not just to surface of the water.
- pick out any clumps of red slime you can, use baster/siphon/tongs- Will be doing.... again. this could be done daily at this point.
- double your water changes to keep Nitrate down - 55 gallon tank and I do 5 gallons weekly, enough???
- clean out all powerheads/skimmer/filters etc.- everything has been done but the powerheads could use a cleaning. vinegar soak?
- make sure your bulbs are still good- bought the t5 unit 6 months again but also getting better Geismann bulbs in a week
- cut back your light cycle by maybe 40%
- make sure your tank isn't overstocked, 8 small fish in 55 gallon?
- running a protein skimmer is a def + if not must- euro reef, check
- run a phosphate remover media (I use a reactor with Chemi Pure Elite)- just finally bought a phosphate reactor 150 with rwosphos last week, just tossed gfo in media bag in sump before. also, have chempure elite as carbon in sump..

How does all that sound?

 

Oh, one last thing. This all started when I was trying to reduce my phos and my LFS directed me to Brightwells reef biofeel. Mis understanding his directed I overdosed a bit for a week, then boom Cyano started up. I have also read you dont use the Reef Bio Fuel without Microbactor7 in which they mentioned nothing about. Is this (Im thinking so! :) my reason for Cyano? If so it is just in the water column so water changes should be the key yeah?

Thanks.

 

Add a refugium. that took care of my cyano issue. It now growin the the fuge instead of the DT lol.

 

No prob, sounds like you are def taking the correct steps to beat it. I would maybe ramp up your WC to 10g per week while you fight it. I also had a 55g and normally did 5g but I did 10g until the cyano was gone. If you/LFS can test, have them check your levels like Phosphates and Nitrates most importantly.

Some may say 8 fish for a SW 55g is overstocked, but I have had more at different points. I think it's all about how good your skimmer/filtration is, water quality, keeping up on water changes/maintenence & what type of fish they are. I run a Deltec MCE600 skimmer on my tank that pulls a massive amount of gunk out daily since my tank is a tad bit overstocked.

Also when you are picking it out in clumps try to turn off your powerheads so none of it gets blown to other areas.

As I mentioned I think cyano is normal to newer tanks and will go away, even though it feels like it never will.

On the Brightwells, I don't have any exp with it, but I usually stay away from any dosing other than for my ALK/CA/MG. Most of the time LFS are in it to sell a product and their knowleadge is little to none. I would def stop using that as it sounds linked to the prob starting.