Effective Methods For Eliminating Cyanobacteria In Reef Aquariums
A reef tank is a beautiful and captivating addition to any home or office. While there is a wide range of colors and varied fish and corals for the aquarium, there is one creature that can make marine tanks hell, and it is called cyanobacteria.
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, can quickly take over your reef aquarium, causing issues with water quality and destroying the beautiful marine ecosystem you have created.
But do not fear, as we are here to tell you all about pesky cyanobacteria and how you can manage and prevent them from taking over inside your reef aquarium.
Cyanobacteria In Aquariums
Cyanobacteria (commonly known as blue-green algae) are a very diverse and resilient group of bacteria that can be very troublesome. In appearance, they are usually identified by their blue-green color, but cyanobacteria can also be black, brown, and even red. Just like plants, cyanobacteria use photosynthetic pigments to convert energy from sunlight or aquarium lighting into chemical energy-producing oxygen.
At first, cyanobacteria may appear harmless but their presence in your reef tank can have
severe consequences. These autotrophic gram-negative bacteria release toxins into the water which can poison corals, fish, and other marine inhabitants. For example, tissue damage caused by toxicants produced by these bacteria eventually leads to corals and fish death.
Also, cyanobacteria may outcompete corals as well as other useful organisms (like slow-growing plants) which also results in poor tank health, plus it makes your once vibrant reef tank look slimy and unattractive to look at.
How To Identifying Cyanobacteria In Your Reef Tank
It is essential to be able to identify cyanobacteria if you are going to effectively tackle it. Cyanobacteria outbreaks are typically seen as slimy green or dark green patches covering rocks, substrate, and even corals.
Sometimes the corals will also smell foul and release slime when touched if they have been exposed to cyanobacteria. This is not to be confused with brown jelly disease or the overproduction of zooxanthellae when corals start turning brown.
Another sign of having this bacterium around would be the existence of gas bubbles trapped beneath the slimy layer. This gas is given off as a byproduct when the cyanobacteria carry out photosynthesis.
Causes Of Cyanobacteria Outbreaks In Reef Tanks
Understanding what causes cyanobacteria to infest reef tanks is a key step towards resolving this problem. The primary culprits are excess nutrients, particularly nitrates and phosphates, in the water. Spikes in nutrient levels are usually due to overfeeding, rotting organic matter, and poor filtration systems.
Poor water circulation and low light levels also facilitate the growth of cyanobacteria. When there is poor water circulation the nutrients stagnate thus providing the perfect environment for cyanobacteria to thrive and take over. Similarly, inadequate lighting can hinder beneficial algae from thriving, leaving cyanobacteria as the dominant species.
How To Prevent The Growth Of Cyanobacteria
When it comes to cyanobacteria in reef tanks, prevention is always better than a cure. A few simple steps can create an environment that does not favor their growth.
Firstly, make sure that you are not overfeeding your corals and fish, and siphon any rotting organic material regularly to keep nutrient levels low at the same time.
We also highly recommend getting a good quality protein skimmer, along with an efficient filtration system to help remove excessive nutrients from water.
Finally, adequate water circulation and optimal lighting levels should be maintained to discourage cyanobacterial growth.
Manual Methods To Remove Cyanobacteria In A Reef Tank
Cyanobacteria can be eliminated by using some manual removal methods as control mechanisms. Slowly siphoning off the slimy patches with a gravel vacuum or turkey baster will physically eliminate the bacteria. Be careful when doing this because you might disrupt corals and other sensitive organisms within your tank.
Another way is a regular change of water; therefore if there are floating cyanobacteria they will be diluted away. However, make sure that you use nitrates and phosphate-free water while refilling to reduce the introduction of nutrients back into the aquarium.
If possible without damaging corals, you can increase the water flow and filtration system to remove dead spots and improve water circulation within the reef tank.
As mentioned, cyanobacteria use light for photosynthesis, so you could try to change the photoperiod in your tank. Adjusting the intensity and duration of the aquarium lighting can discourage cyanobacteria outbreaks from happening again.
We should finally mention that even though there are many algae-eating reef fish available for reef tanks, they will not eat cyanobacteria as it isn’t actually an algae, and therefore, they are not a method for removing cyanobacteria. Also, cyanobacteria is slightly toxic to fish so they won’t consume it.
Chemical Methods To Remove Cyanobacteria In A Reef Tank
As a last resort for severe cases of cyanobacteria outbreaks, chemical treatments may also be used.
The good news is that the antibiotic erythromycin (typically goes by ‘algae control’) is very effective at killing cyanobacteria. However, during treatment time it is necessary to observe closely dosage directions given as well as monitor water parameters afterward.
How To Safely Use Chemicals To Treat Cyanobacteria In Reef Aquariums
- Prep: Scrub and siphon cyanobacteria, perform maintenance, and change water
- Dose: Use 2 oz Algae Control per 10 gallons, apply directly to affected areas
- Maintain: Repeat weekly after water changes
- Results: May take 2-4 weeks; repeat treatment for thick, widespread algae
It must nevertheless be remembered that chemicals should only be seen as temporary remedies but not long-term solutions for cyanobacteria. Long-term use of chemical treatments may have detrimental effects on your tank’s general health and marine life, particularly with sensitive marine organisms such as corals.
Therefore, we always recommend using other methods of prevention and manual removal before considering chemical removal methods.
Conclusion
Remember the best solution for cyanobacteria build-up is prevention. By creating an environment that is unfavorable for their growth, it is possible to significantly reduce the chances of outbreaks happening. However, if you are having a cyanobacteria outbreak you can remove them by increasing water flow, siphoning the slime, performing water changes, and as a last resort, chemical treatment.
If you are still struggling with cyanobacteria in your reef aquarium, do not hesitate to contact the team at Reefco Aquariums for some tip-top advice!
