Is This Cyano?

[Johnny Reefer]

Hey all,
Is this cyano?
I didn't think cyano was wispy and threadlike like this, but rather, a sort of velvet like blanket. This is why I ask.
It does have the right colour, however, doesn't it?
There are also two patches in the back of the tank, on the sandbed.
Man!


Thanx much and cheers,

[exee]

it does look like cyano to me... but i've never seen it like that ether... have you tried sucking some of it out with a turkey baster?

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by exee

it does look like cyano to me... but i've never seen it like that ether... have you tried sucking some of it out with a turkey baster?

Just tried it now. Ya, that sucks it up but it's hard to get it all. I fear I'm just spreading it around. Given that I have the other two patches, I may go the Erythromycin treatment route. I'll test the water tomorrow. I don't see how my nutrients could be high. Relatively new tank, low bio-load, feed sparingly. Huh.
Crap! I don't have time for this right now!

Cheers,

[adidas]

good luck! Cyano is a PITA

[Funky_Fish14]

Originally Posted by Johnny Reefer

Relatively new tank,

There ya go, thats sometimes a reason it shows up. Even though your tank may be the cleanest tank, the fact that its new might bring it in. I've never started a tank without cyano showing up for a bit.

It does look like cyano to me. It can vary a little, i've had it like that before. If thats not cyano, it looks and acts just like it.

Chris

[Ruth]

Mark unfortunately that looks like cyano to me as well. I have battled it a couple of times in the past *knocking furiously on head*. I have found that it seems to consume and thrive on PO4 and because it consumes it your tests will still come out at normal. If you are feeding a lot of flake food, or frozen mysis/brine shrimp these tend to be very high in PO4. You may want to make sure that if you aren't already any frozen food be well rinsed with RODI water before it is feed to your tank and maybe cut right back on flake food. Just my 2 pennies worth.

[Funky_Fish14]

Originally Posted by Ruth

I have found that it seems to consume and thrive on PO4 and because it consumes it your tests will still come out at normal.

As Ruth stated, this may be the reason why you had undetectable PO4.

I've also read some interesting papers suggesting PO4 building up in the rocks, so you may want to try Ruth's suggestion of soaking one in a bucket, swishing it around alot, then testing the water.

I've seen cyano show up quite late in upgrades aswell. Whether it has been a new tank, or an upgrade to a larger system from smaller mature systems, I've always had it show up sooner or later.

Good luck getting rid of it! Im sure it will go as it came, mine has always done so after a couple months of battling it.

Chris

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by Funky_Fish14

There ya go, thats sometimes a reason it shows up. Even though your tank may be the cleanest tank, the fact that its new might bring it in.

Yes, this is what I suspect to. The tank setup is sorta new but it sorta isn't either. Had a 135 setup that I switched out for a 180g. 80% of the LR and sand in the 180 is from the previous 135. Been up and running for close to 3 months now. It never really went through a full blown new tank syndrome cycle. Brown algae was minimal and green algae, although present now in acceptable levels, did not "flourish" and then recede. The lack of a full blown new tank syndrome cycle is enough for me to be not so sure.
But regardless, it's there and needs to be dealt with before it gets too bad.
I'll test the water tonight after my 12 hour work shift today.
(Cry me a river).

Ruth: I feed Formula 1 & 2 pellets. They also get cyclopeeze and rotifers. Usually when I'm not working I feed them frozen cyclopeeze and frozen rotifers. When I am working they still get the Formula 1 & 2, but I switch to freeze dried cyclopeeze and hold of on the rotifers. (It's easier). Any other frozen feedings are rare. I might feed them frozen mysis maybe once a month or so.

Oh ya....and DT's phytoplankton. I feed 3 doses/week for a total of about 80 to 120 mls of that per week. Maybe this is too much?

Thanx all for the advice and cheers,

[Ruth]

I think the real challenge is to find out where the nutrients that are fueling it are coming from in order to deal with it.
I have read that sometimes phosphates can build up over time in LR so you may want to pull out a rock, soak it in tank water swishing around really good and then test that water for phosphates. Same for the pellets, maybe soak in some tank water overnight (or while you are working that 12 hour shift) and then test that water. Also try taking a sample from really close to your sand bed, maybe after it has been stirred up a little. OTOH it could be that when you transferred everything enough PO4 was released into the system to fuel your small outbreak and it will be fine with continued water changes.

[scub steve]

yup looks like the stuff i had real paid to get rid of if your not attached to that rock pull it out and scub it off good and test your water