UV Light & Cyano

[Charlie]

If I install a UV light will it help eliminate the cyano on my substrate?

Should a UV light just be connected to my main wet/dry pump with a "T" fitting and a flow control valve?

 

[melosu58]

I have a UV and I like mine but just remember that a UV is just a bandaid solution. They will only kill algea spores that travel thru the light chamber. That which is already on the bottom will stay there and not travel thru the UV. Read this for cyano

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/article_view.php?faq=2&fldAuto=48

 

[Charlie]

It seems that I'm doing everything correctly except that I do not have a refugium for macro grown and nutrient export. My tank is in my office and space is limited. I could probably fit a 16"x12"x4" HOB fuge on the back. Would it be worth all the money and effort?

How do you guys remove cyano from your substrate? I was using a standard aquarioum syphon/vac but this just flips the cyano over as it clumps together. Within an hour it spreads back just like it was. Its starting to get hair like strands growing from it.

Hmmmm - What to do - what to do????

 

[melosu58]

I havent had algea in my tank in 7 yrs now but when I did have it (cyano) I would vacuum it up with the syphon hose during PWC`s. I know you might lose a little substrate but it is worth it to get rid of it. Do you have a good flow in that area.

 

[Charlie]

Yes - there is a constant flow across the front glass where the algae is prevelant. It doesn't seem to syphon to well. Its heavier than the sand. I tried to grab some with tongs because it clings to itself but that really didn;t work too well either. It would take a month to get it out that way.

I'm going to try some type of homemade seive attached to a long stick and see how that works.

 

[roka64]

If you are using the substrate vac, with a larger opening that attactes to a hose, remove it and just use the hose. That will get it off, but will get somsand also, but that is probably your best bet, and then do a PWC.

 

[melosu58]

I agree that you`ll need to get a bigger hose. Something that will draw algea and sand out. If your present hose wont draw it out it`s too small.