The Puffer Forum

How do I get rid of and prevent cyano bacteria? I know they are the only bacteria that photosynthesize but I can't 100% blackout the tank because it is in my bedroom. What can I do?

Get freshwater maracyn, dose 1/2 the suggested dose for 3 days. Remove as much as you can manually. Increase the oxygen levels.

Ok and the freshwater maracyn is ok for an SG around 1.018? And I think the O2 levels are fine, I have two HOB filters at opposite ends of the tank, as well as a powerhead pointed towards the surface.

EDIT- Also, this is GSP safe, correct?

Yes, and yes.
Do you know how it was introduced to the tank?

I really don't, my assumption is too much light, it sits on a wall opposite a window and my wife likes to open the blinds. I get on her about it, but to no avail. lol. Like I said the O2 levels are most likely fine, plenty of movement. Although the water temp is 80 degrees. (summertime in South Carolina) I don't overfeed.......anymore. So I really don't know.

Well, it's a bacteria, could it be from the water?

if a blackout will solve the problem cover with a thick towel/blanket. But will this solve it? prob not

Maybe, but if it's from the water, it will be reintroduced.

Precisely my point. Other ways should be much more practical and feasable. ie more water partials

A word of caution if you're going to do a blackout - Cyanobacteria do produce oxygen, but ONLY when they're photosynthesizing. Regardless of their current state of photosynthesis, they also consume oxygen in the water, and those oxygen levels can get low during a blackout - this is what killed my Ike, my original toby I joined the forum with.

If the source water is where the bacteria is coming from, more water changes will not help, he'd have to change his water source.
I wouldn't personally suggest a blackout, sounds stressful for the fish. ?
I got my water a few times from a store in a more ghetto part of town because they were open later. They weren't servicing their machine so I got cynobacteria bad from that water. It was fine after treatment and going back to my usual store.

Cyanobacteria are ubiquitous. But current is their enemy as they have a hard time establishing their biofilms. Low organic bioload is also their enemy - especially including in the substrate.

Before the antibiotic treatment you should remove as much as you possibly can (even if serial back-to-back partials are required), especially if you are doing blackout. Get the substrate fully cleaned at the same time. El Scorpio's warning is fully valid.