A Tale of Two Nuisances (Cyano & Hair Algae)

[JeffDubya]

So, I am taking a moment to jot down some thoughts and questions related to an issue I am having because it is so pervasive in nature, and pervasive problems tend to be the types that drive people away from our hobby. Now, I’m not there yet - far from it, but these issues seem to be turning my hair even more prematurely gray than normal, and are certainly diminishing my enjoyment of my small reef tank.

I have two setups, a 29 gallon prop tank (with a 29 gallon sump/fuge) and a 29 gallon display tank. I have protein skimmers on both setups. I believe the hair algae came into my system on a frag, which was placed in the prop tank, and which has since been pervasive in both. Oddly, my phosphates in both tanks test at ZERO, and as I mentioned previously, I do have a sump/fuge on the prop tank, which I thought would remove most of those types of inorganics from the water column.The best advice I have at this time (from what I regard to be an exceptionally reliable source) is that most phosphate testing kits are crap, and that I just need to invest in some phos-ban or similar phosphate removing product, the hair algae will die off (I will need to keep my eye on this and do a significant water change) and then I will be good to go.

Now assuming this solution works (and by the time I have posted this, I will have phos-ban actively running in BOTH systems) the question is WHY did this happen and HOW can I prevent it in the future? I am running RO/DI water with 0 ppm total dissolved solids. Should I be further treating this water before putting it in my tank? Is there something proactive I can do?

Now, on to the Cyanobacteria. I have been told that lack of flow and overfeeding are the two main sources of cyano outbreaks. Additionally, lighting may or may not play a part. Well, in my little 29 gallon reef, I have TWO Seio 620 power heads, for a combined flow of 1240 GPH. Thats over 40X flow, which I purposely did to avoid problems such as this. Additionally, I have cut WAY back on my feedings, to once a week or LESS (the fish don’t seem as fat, but aren’t emaciated, by any means) I run a Coralife Power Compact hood with the 10K, Actinic and Moon Lights. The bulbs are brand-spanking new.

I will also add that I have several Aptasia anemones in there... I keep nuking them with Joes Juice, but they are apparently fruitful. SOMETHING is feeding these nuisances, but I don’t know what.

I have used used a cyano treatment several times, with skimmer turned off. I don’t remember what brand it was (I can easily find out) but it seems to knock it down a little, for a while (my leathers don’t like it much) but inevitably the stuff comes back.

This morning I ONCE AGAIN fished a ton of this crap out of the tank, and I am going to treat it again. But after that, what will it take? I have seriously considered removing EVERYTHING and starting from scratch! Now I hope it doesn’t come down to that, but I am at least being honest in admitting it as a possible course of action.

The ONLY thing I have been lax about is my water changes. It’s the summer... and it always seems to work this way. So, for both problems, perhaps this is a mitigating factor that can only be attributed to my own laziness. I’m prepared to hear that answer as well. Actually, I’m prepared to hear just about any answer that helps me solve this problem.

So, have I provided enough information? Do you understand my question / dilemma?

I’d sure love to hear your input.

[CarmieJo]

I may never go on vacation again. The first time we went after I had my reef I came home to cyano. I increased flow to the area where it was and siphoned it as soon as it came back which meant water changes 2-3x a week. I just couldn't get rid of it and finally resorted to Red Slime Remover which was effective. I was sure the cyano was a result of overfeeding so I thought I had a sure fire solution when we went on vacation the next time, pre-measured dry food. My fish sitter this time apparently didn't understand "feed 1 packet every other day". I came home to a massive HA problem. I only feed every other day. I am doing weekly water changes, as is my habit, and scrubbing the rocks in the discarded water. I've turned the light out for a couple of days at a time but it has not really helped. It was not getting better so I have been running my cannister filter for the last few days. It looks a little better but not a lot. I've got to move my tank back in the living room (I've been saying this for a few weeks) and when I do I am going to scrub all of the rocks at once.