Nitrates/cyano--can't lower mine

[lcstorc]

Well the chemicals are kind of like a bandaid. If you don't fix the source of the problem it will be back. Plus I for one hate to add any chemicals to my tank. With that said I have used Red Slime Remover. It did get rid of the cyano but drove my skimmer nuts for about 2-3 weeks. I doubt I will use it again because the slime came back since I had not fixed the root problem.

[BoomerD]

Because the chemicals only treat the symptoms, NOT the cause.

If this were my tank, I'd take all the rock and livestock out of the tank, and put it in a suitable container.
Remove all the crushed coral and u/g filter plates.
Replace the CC with a good quality live sand.
Put the rock back in.
Get rid of that Sgt. Major for sure...too aggressive IMO)
STOP using the Petco water, and invest in a decent RO/DI and make my own saltwater from one of the better mixes. You'll save a LOT of money on that alone!
Increase water changes to a minimum of 10% weekly.
Your skimmer isn't a great one, but is still better than some of the other inexpensive units out there.

[fishheads]

i'ts not that i dont agree....you are correct....petco has only filtered water not RO..it has plenty of nitrates...but continous water changes with RO in amounts of 20%weekly for a couple of weeks..right along with resins(inexpensive)should solve the problem.....am i correct?He should have never started using petco water.....i agree on RO and a quality salt,mixing your own........problem solved to the best of my understanding......reducing nitrates to a point where your system can equal out on its own.....after you remove visible traces of cyanoiI do stand corrected on live sand,he should definately get a quality sand

[PhilOlsen]

Originally Posted by fishheads

i'ts not that i dont agree....you are correct....petco has only filtered water not RO..it has plenty of nitrates...but continous water changes with RO in amounts of 20%weekly for a couple of weeks..right along with resins(inexpensive)should solve the problem.....am i correct?He should have never started using petco water.....i agree on RO and a quality salt,mixing your own........problem solved to the best of my understanding......reducing nitrates to a point where your system can equal out on its own.....after you remove visible traces of cyanoiI do stand corrected on live sand,he should definately get a quality sand

I would never add chemicals under his circumstances, first it is the wrong water, second the undergravel is prob the root of the issue, resins and 20% water changes will not resolve his issue in the long term, maybe a short term fix but nothing more than the equivelent of using colonge rather than taking a shower, it would just mask the real problem not fix it. Also I would recommend RO/DI water, not just RO for the water changes

[fishheads]

I STAND CORRECTED :smck: