cynobacteria

[muddskipper26]

My ten gallon dp tank has always had problems with cyno, ive done blackouts and lots of large water changes, but it always comes back in a few days and covers everything. The cyno came when i tried to plant the tank a few months ago, i just recently removed all the plants, did a blackout and did nearly a 100 percent wc, but it came back:headshake2: . So is my only hope chemicals? if so how should i do it? My ammonia and nitrite are 0. I just ordered a nitrate test because i dont have one, so i dont know my nitrate at the time. This tank has been set up since christmas.

Thanks for the help. It has been my first post in a while.

 

[Canuck]

So the tank isn't planted anymore? How much light do you have over it? If you had the planted tank standard of 2 to 3 watts, I'd suggest reducing it (after doing the black out thing again).

 

[Lady Friesian]

You may want to worry more about phosphates then nitrate, since cyanobacteria can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere for its use. It often thrives without high nitrates.

Gross isn't it? For some reason my cyanobacteria-filled tank cleared up quickly when I switched to a sponge filter, but who knows why. If you do go with chemicals, you should probably choose an antibiotic over an algacide.

 

[Sploke]

How long has the tank been running? In almost all my tanks, I have had cyano issues within the first 4-6 months of having them set up, but after trying everything over a period of 2-3 months, it usually just disappeared on its own. The only thing I had good luck with was EM, a broad spectrum antibiotic. I only used this in my heavily planted tank, because it will level your biofilter, so I knew the plants would keep the params good. I did two double doses and left the light off (not full blackout conditions) for a week or so and that seemed to get rid of it. Left a nice spot for the hair algae to take over :wall:

 

[J double R]

You may want to worry more about phosphates then nitrate, since cyanobacteria can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere for its use. It often thrives without high nitrates.

Gross isn't it? For some reason my cyanobacteria-filled tank cleared up quickly when I switched to a sponge filter, but who knows why. If you do go with chemicals, you should probably choose an antibiotic over an algacide.

which is exactly why in a planted tank, he DOES need to worry about nitrates.. if the plants are sucking up all the nitrates, and the level is zero all the time, his chances of cyano exploding is enormous. reducing the light isnt going to help.. you have a couple options. first, find out what your nitrate readings are.. i have a suspicion that they are very low, if there at all.

since blackouts alone didn't work for you, there is only one other method that i know you can use that will positively work, and that is Ethromycin. works every time, since cyano is indeed a bacteria and not an algae. Try treating the tank WHILE doing a blackout.. that worked best for me. after treatment, do a major water change and suck as much of it as you can.. then remember to balance your fertilizers (including nitrates if necessary) so that it doesnt come back.

 

[muddskipper26]

thanks for your help guys, i removed all the plants because they were basically dead because of the cyno. I really want to turn it into a planted tank for my dps eventually when all the cyno dies. Im a guy by the way

 

[Canuck]

which is exactly why in a planted tank, he DOES need to worry about nitrates.. if the plants are sucking up all the nitrates, and the level is zero all the time, his chances of cyano exploding is enormous. reducing the light isnt going to help..

The way I read his post the tank is no longer planted, therefore balancing nutrients and light isn't going to do much for him. Maybe I misunderstood his post

 

[J double R]

thanks for your help guys, i removed all the plants because they were basically dead because of the cyno. I really want to turn it into a planted tank for my dps eventually when all the cyno dies. Im a guy by the way

intent to re-plant validates the advice to properly fertilize.

 

[Canuck]

intent to re-plant validates the advice to properly fertilize.

:lol: Okay I didn't realize we were allowed to use our powers of precognizance to give advice!

 

[severum mama]

Watch for a mini-cycle while treating with antibiotics. I've treated cyano with Maracyn in the past, and it definitely did affect the bio filter even though the packaging claims otherwise.