Antibiotic for cyano???

[CableGuy]

Heidi if your talking about *red slim algae* I used ChemiClean. Works wonderfully. 2 days and it's gone!

This stuff is amazing... used it twice and worked both times amazingly.

[schminksbro]

Do those of you who have chosen to go this route intend to fix the problem that caused the cyano to start with? After the dose and the miracle that follows what is the plan to prevent the inevitable return of the cyano? Is there a plan to remove the excess nutrients left from weeks of poor or no protein skimming? In 6-8 months (possibly longer) when the drug finally works its' way out of your systems is the plan to just dose again? I notice almost everyone who says they have used this method says they have done so multiple times. Could it be that there is a consistent husbandry issue which is compensated for with drugs but never learned from? IMHO every issue with our tanks is an opportunity to learn something. Is the lesson here to just dose and not worry about the underlying reasons for the outbreak to begin with?
Obviously I expressed my concerns with this "Quick fix" method earlier in this thread. I am hoping to possibly steer the thread in a direction that will help others avoid the very serious risk posed by putting drugs in a reef tank.

[EMUreef]

Do those of you who have chosen to go this route intend to fix the problem that caused the cyano to start with? After the dose and the miracle that follows what is the plan to prevent the inevitable return of the cyano? Is there a plan to remove the excess nutrients left from weeks of poor or no protein skimming? In 6-8 months (possibly longer) when the drug finally works its' way out of your systems is the plan to just dose again? I notice almost everyone who says they have used this method says they have done so multiple times. Could it be that there is a consistent husbandry issue which is compensated for with drugs but never learned from? IMHO every issue with our tanks is an opportunity to learn something. Is the lesson here to just dose and not worry about the underlying reasons for the outbreak to begin with?
Obviously I expressed my concerns with this "Quick fix" method earlier in this thread. I am hoping to possibly steer the thread in a direction that will help others avoid the very serious risk posed by putting drugs in a reef tank.

whats poor skimming?

[schminksbro]

Overflowing skimmer pulling nothing. It is one of the very common side effects of dosing Red Slime Remover, Chemi-clean, ect... In some cases it can last for weeks.

whats poor skimming?

[Sir Patrick]

Very good direction for this thread to take- I agree Andy.

I always change out my carbon, once the slime is gone, and change it again 2 weeks later, instead of the month or so I usually let it go

I also vacume any detrius that collects, as always, when I do my water change.

I make it a point to do a water change, the usual 10-20%, very soon after this stuff is gone, but not before-and then do another the very next week- and make it a priority not to skip a week.

I also continue to wet skim, watching closely my salinity, because as many of us know- wet skimmate can cause your salinity to get higher than you might expect, depending your water testing methods when changing water.

I like to dose it with a lights out period also- because this dose of maracyn does not always remove it all, and cyno, which can become photosynthetic, is best weakened with the lack of light also, rather than a second, third, or more dose of medication. The more meds you add to your tank, the more you will need to remove.

So far, I have not noticed any negative results in not following these guidlines, and leaving it in with very little effort to remove it, as I have not always followed them myself in the past, but will not say there are none. In recent years I have learned- Best to keep anything that doesnt belong in your tank, out of your tank, unless necessary- and only as long as necessary. Its always a good bet.

[larryandlaura]

Well put @sirpat rick!

---------- Post added at 09:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:30 AM ----------

Any updates on the battle?

[Heidi]

Well, I have still yet to dose the meds. I bought it and it is sitting in my fish cabinet. I have noticed that it is not growing and spreading like it was. When at it's worst it was needing to be vacuumed up everyday as it was thick on the sand bed everywhere. Now it is thiner and has spread to cover my whole bed. I haven't done a waterchange this week (was due on Monday for the once a week "30g", maybe this has helped??? I have been dosing 3ml vodka and 2 capfuls of MB7 per day. I can snap a quick pic later when I update my other thread... Thanks for the great discussion and for following along.
Heidi

[Sir Patrick]

From what I have read- water changes can, and usually do, fuel the fire- even at 0 tds fresh water measurments. Good thinking on letting the tank go, as long as all the other tank husbandry techniques are in line- and everything else mentioned before are in check.

Odds are, somthing is fueling this stuff- and once it gets hold it can take some time to combat. Sounds like you are on the right track.

[Rabidgoose]

From what I have read- water changes can, and usually do, fuel the fire- even at 0 tds fresh water measurments.....

I would be interested in reading this article if you will post a link SP

thanks.........chuck