So, was reading Mark's note from the editor in reefkeeping online magazine and he referenced the "lights out" thread. I read about ten pages before I decided to give it a shot.
We have a 90 gallon tank and had been running the pump and skimmer that the previous owner also used. It was only rated for a 75. We've had zero problems with hair algae. Fought diatoms only until installing a RODI unit in the house. The past couple of months we've been fighting cyano. My personal thoughts are that as the tank matured and we added more livestock, the underrated sump and skimmer just couldn't keep up. We're currently building the sump and have a skimmer on layaway (not really but are awaiting Seedless Reefer's tests!) We were also without ANY cuc other than some ginormous limpets because of the mantis we recently removed. We've probably added about forty snails over the past month to help. Also picked up a dragon goby that I'm more than happy to clean up after.
Anyhow, I see light at the end of the tunnel with the arrival and installation of the new sump, but just couldn't stand staring at a red sandbed if there was a solution, even temporary. Today was the third day with lights out. I flipped on just the pc's to check it out. Cyano is completely gone. Not just burried, not in remission. Gone. For how long? I dunno. The water is super clear and all the glass is clean. The originator of the rc thread said that these results always lasted about two months for him before he would do another lights out cycle. I realize that the algae problem is symptomatic of nutrient issues that we are currently working to resolve. The new sump will have a refugium with chaeto, a much bigger skimmer, and almost three times the water volume. We're about to update our bulbs as well as have cut down on feeding.
Will post results on longevity of results, but for right now, it looks awesome! All the fish fed regularly. Our BTA is fullyl inflated. SPS polyps are extended. LPS all seem to have gotten on their own schedule and are inflated some of the day and not others. Softies are doing something similar. Power compacts go back on for a full cycle tomorrow. Sunday the halides will come back on. Saltwater for water change on Sunday is mixing now!
Fingers crossed!
We have a 90 gallon tank and had been running the pump and skimmer that the previous owner also used. It was only rated for a 75. We've had zero problems with hair algae. Fought diatoms only until installing a RODI unit in the house. The past couple of months we've been fighting cyano. My personal thoughts are that as the tank matured and we added more livestock, the underrated sump and skimmer just couldn't keep up. We're currently building the sump and have a skimmer on layaway (not really but are awaiting Seedless Reefer's tests!) We were also without ANY cuc other than some ginormous limpets because of the mantis we recently removed. We've probably added about forty snails over the past month to help. Also picked up a dragon goby that I'm more than happy to clean up after.
Anyhow, I see light at the end of the tunnel with the arrival and installation of the new sump, but just couldn't stand staring at a red sandbed if there was a solution, even temporary. Today was the third day with lights out. I flipped on just the pc's to check it out. Cyano is completely gone. Not just burried, not in remission. Gone. For how long? I dunno. The water is super clear and all the glass is clean. The originator of the rc thread said that these results always lasted about two months for him before he would do another lights out cycle. I realize that the algae problem is symptomatic of nutrient issues that we are currently working to resolve. The new sump will have a refugium with chaeto, a much bigger skimmer, and almost three times the water volume. We're about to update our bulbs as well as have cut down on feeding.
Will post results on longevity of results, but for right now, it looks awesome! All the fish fed regularly. Our BTA is fullyl inflated. SPS polyps are extended. LPS all seem to have gotten on their own schedule and are inflated some of the day and not others. Softies are doing something similar. Power compacts go back on for a full cycle tomorrow. Sunday the halides will come back on. Saltwater for water change on Sunday is mixing now!
Fingers crossed!
