Thanks for the replies everyone.
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Are you assuming they are elevated because you have cyano? First thing to do would be test phosphates.
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Months ago when the problem started I tested at 0 phosphates. Yes I believe cyano is consuming all phosphates.
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As for the Redfield ratio, are you trying to reduce phosphates or remove the cyano?
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Remove cyano.
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... start out trying ChemiClean.
Cyano? Chemiclean FTW!! :-)
+1 Chemiclean
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Thanks for the suggestion. How does ChemiClean prevent cyano from returning? I am worried it is a temporary fix.
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Right now your cyano might be using up the Nitrates more efficiently then other stuff in your tank.
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Possibly! Is there anyway we can easily test this hypothesis against mine below?
My hypothesis is the
DSB is starving the macro algae of nitrates and feeding the cyano with nitrogen. It is common for DSBs to reduce nitrates. I believe they work by hosting de-nitrifying bacteria which consume nitrates. A by-product of de-nitrification is nitrogen gas (my sand bed releases bubbles).
Cyano is unique in that it can utilize atmospheric nitrogen. This could explain why the cyano grows well and prefers the sand bed while macro algae won't grow.
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adding more nitrogen could bloom the cyano even more
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Yes. I think it is critical to remove all cyano first (possibly using ChemiClean here). Then setting up an environment for macro algae to outcompete cyano - by dosing nitrates