Cyanobacteria....getting rid of it

[mpgleisten]

I have a 10 gallon tank with a penguin 200 filter. i would have thought the penguin 200 would be overkill on this small of a tank but i am still getting cyanobacteria. i have tried drastic water changes but if you miss even one small spot of the cyanobacteria it blooms again.

what can i do to get rid of this stuff?

 

[tunerX]

Different strains of cyano love nitrates, iron, and phosphates. Check the levels of each in your aquarium and you will see what needs to be eliminated.

If you can reduce these then the cyano should go away. Otherwise the only way to limit it is to do small dosing with antibiotics/copper and possibly use a UV lighting system.

 

[a6715s]

Erythromycin will kill it.

 

[mpgleisten]

it is a bacteria, i should go the antibiotic route

 

[Gator]

it is a bacteria, i should go the antibiotic route

A bacteria that uses photosynthesis.. If you don't want to use chemicals or drugs you can also physically remove what you can do a 50% water change blackout the tank for 3 days, don't feed the fish and don't let any light in. Then after 3 days remove blackout cover, do another 50% water change and you should be good.

 

[BigO6687]

my balloon mollys made quick work of it

 

[mpgleisten]

good info gator. might have to try that if the antibiotic route doesnt work. i wish i could use something like mollies but this tank has a small hemichromis elongatus in it currently which would probably love to shred any tankmates.