red cyano bacteria, red algae, microbial lifeforms!!! help

[winemaker1]

could someone please tell me what this is? it's brownish red, starts on the sand and takes over the tank from there. the cycle perimeters don't seem to have an effect. fish only tank, ph 8, ammonia .1 mg nitites 0 and as far as the nitrates it was there before water change (60 gal) when nitrates were around 50 ppm and is still there after water change. i can change water, clean sand, rocks, equip. and glass, the stuff is back in 2 to 3 days. i am going to try to add more circulation and get some kind of sand cleaner, any suggestions? a sand sifting goby maybe. currently have 2 damsels ( blue devil and an unknown damsel) 1 yellow tang, 1 brittle starfish (minus 1 arm) and 1 engineer goby

[chrisfont23]

could someone please tell me what this is? it's brownish red, starts on the sand and takes over the tank from there. the cycle perimeters don't seem to have an effect. fish only tank, ph 8, ammonia .1 mg nitites 0 and as far as the nitrates it was there before water change (60 gal) when nitrates were around 50 ppm and is still there after water change. i can change water, clean sand, rocks, equip. and glass, the stuff is back in 2 to 3 days. i am going to try to add more circulation and get some kind of sand cleaner, any suggestions? a sand sifting goby maybe. currently have 2 damsels ( blue devil and an unknown damsel) 1 yellow tang, 1 brittle starfish (minus 1 arm) and 1 engineer goby

Brown diatoms or cyano. Looks like cyano to me. It's a form of bacteria that uses oxygenic photosynthesis to reproduce. Probably one of the oldest bacteria on earth. It grows in clumps, patches, balls, stringy filament etc. I am sure there are a few dozen or so posts on this board dealing with the causes:

- low flow
- too much light
- high nutrients (phosphates / nitrates) levels
- feeding types
- (over) feeding frequency
- water type used to mix salt
- bioload
- lbs of biological filtration, aka 'live rock'
- length tank has been alive / maturity
- lack of skimmer

My guess is there isn't nearly enough flow, an inadequate amount of live rock and a tank that is just going through some growing pains. I would suggest siphoning it off - as much as you can - with a turkey baster, increasing flow, decrease feedings and look into GFO or a skimmer. And if ** ALL ELSE ** fails, Google "Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber" and if you go that route, know what you are getting into. I actually own one and ** do not ** battle cyano.


GL.

[Reefing Madness]

From what I can tell, you don't have any flow. I see 2 Penguin hang on back filters, those do nothing for flow whatsoever. #2, I don't see a skimmer, which is highly recommended in a 60g tank. Flow in a 60 gallon should start at 600gph and go up from there. 2 300gph powerheads would be recommended to start with.

[winemaker1]

thanks for the help guys. i was thinking flow was an issue. i was wondering what is a "pengiun"? I am trying to find something to get some better pictures with. in the photo its hard to see, but i have: 2 emporer 400's, 2 power heads (of some sort), dual aireators, protein skimmer and 400 watt halide light. I Had a massive power head that went out a few weeks ago, when it was going i still had the "cyano" on the sand. So what do you guys recomend for a mid grade power head setup on my tank? 160 gallons. I also have a filter aid (purigen) in my filters to help break down organics

[Reefing Madness]

thanks for the help guys. i was thinking flow was an issue. i was wondering what is a "pengiun"? I am trying to find something to get some better pictures with. in the photo its hard to see, but i have: 2 emporer 400's, 2 power heads (of some sort), dual aireators, protein skimmer and 400 watt halide light. I Had a massive power head that went out a few weeks ago, when it was going i still had the "cyano" on the sand. So what do you guys recomend for a mid grade power head setup on my tank? 160 gallons. I also have a filter aid (purigen) in my filters to help break down organics

Hydor knock off powerheads are cheap and work great. Not counting your Emperor filters, what flow do you have? You should have a t least 1600 gph in there. Usually its done by 2 powerheads on opposite sides of the tank. I give ya an example of flow, I have a 240g tank and on either end of the tank I have 2 3200gph powerheads.

[leebca]

If you don't have a means to microscopically examine these, then you can go by the following generalities: Cyano is usual maroon in color; diatoms are usually brown-beige in color.

Having cyano is usually a sign of water flow issues. You want the right amount of water flow AND you want to direct it in the tank to prevent 'dead' spots.

Diatoms are a sign of a new aquarium going through its initial phase of getting old. Even an old aquarium will have some, but a clean up crew that eats it will pretty much keep it out of sight. Just to be certain it does go away, make sure you are not introducing any dissolved silica. Diatoms need silica for their 'shells.' You can't control them by light since they will adjust to even low light levels. Just maintain high-end water quality and I'd suggest some good snails to eat it. But the snails are not to remove the huge population, just the low population after the tank ages.

Good luck!

[reeferbill]

Why do you have air stones in saltwater set-up? Lose the air bubbles and get a good skimmer!!!!

[winemaker1]

the tank came with it, previously used as saltwater. i just assumed it was suppose to be that way. i read how important oxygen level in a saltwater aquarium is and never thought twice about running both the aierator and skimmer. does the aierator hurt anything? just wondering if that could be a problem also

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

the tank came with it, previously used as saltwater. i just assumed it was suppose to be that way. i read how important oxygen level in a saltwater aquarium is and never thought twice about running both the aierator and skimmer. does the aierator hurt anything? just wondering if that could be a problem also

Air stones don't do much for oxygenation in saltwater tanks. Most people who use them do so for surface agitation (which isn't the best method) and for decoration. The majority of gas exchange happens at the water's surface. Aiming a powerhead toward the surface of the water (just enough to cause agitation) works well to promote gas exchange (along with proper ventilation ). Air stones usually don't do harm but can irritate some corals, sponges, etc...

[winemaker1]

thanks for the info on the air!! thinking about buying 2 power heads of ebay, 1300 gph per unit. if someone has the time will they take a look and tell me what they think 2 1300GPH WAVE MAKER CORAL FISH PUMP AQUARIUM POWERHEAD | eBay

[Reefing Madness]

thanks for the info on the air!! thinking about buying 2 power heads of ebay, 1300 gph per unit. if someone has the time will they take a look and tell me what they think 2 1300GPH WAVE MAKER CORAL FISH PUMP AQUARIUM POWERHEAD | eBay

Those are ok, but they have the nozzle that direct the water flow.
Try these.
2x Circulating WaveMaker Aquarium Powerhead Pump 800GPH | eBay
They are Hydor knock offs. They are open face, and the flow goes all over the place, not in just one direction.
I use 2 of these in mine.
3200 GPH Aquarium Powerhead Dual Twin Wave Maker Pump Dual Circulating Vibration | eBay

[chrisfont23]

thanks for the info on the air!! thinking about buying 2 power heads of ebay, 1300 gph per unit. if someone has the time will they take a look and tell me what they think 2 1300GPH WAVE MAKER CORAL FISH PUMP AQUARIUM POWERHEAD | eBay

Personally, I would go with a Vortech MP40

[winemaker1]

thanks for the recomendations and help. Although i would love a vortech it is a little out of budget at the time being. the link for the 3200 gph dual powerhead was sold, so i bought one Hydor Koralia Evolution 1400 gph to use with my existing power heads. the plan is to buy the evolution controller and another Hydor Koralia Evolution 1400 gph in the next couple weeks. good choice? im also wanting to cut cost of filter replacements, thinking about buying pre cut rite size bonded filter pads Marineland Rite-Size Bonded Filter Pre-Cut Pads Pads or a bulk roll of bonded padding, and making my own using my existing frame and carbon if needed. im running two emperor 400 mech filters. cost at LFS $68 a month, cost to make my own less than $10 a month. has anyone else tried this, or have any thoughts to why it isn't wise?

[Reefing Madness]

thanks for the recomendations and help. Although i would love a vortech it is a little out of budget at the time being. the link for the 3200 gph dual powerhead was sold, so i bought one Hydor Koralia Evolution 1400 gph to use with my existing power heads. the plan is to buy the evolution controller and another Hydor Koralia Evolution 1400 gph in the next couple weeks. good choice? im also wanting to cut cost of filter replacements, thinking about buying pre cut rite size bonded filter pads Marineland Rite-Size Bonded Filter Pre-Cut Pads Pads or a bulk roll of bonded padding, and making my own using my existing frame and carbon if needed. im running two emperor 400 mech filters. cost at LFS $68 a month, cost to make my own less than $10 a month. has anyone else tried this, or have any thoughts to why it isn't wise?

Nitrate Factories. You'll find this out in time, but for right now you won't see an issue doing that.