Algae on gravel

[Lady Hobbs]

Once again, cyano is not an algae but a bacteria. Some treat it with an antibiotic and others just try to clean most of it out by hand. An antibiotic will destroy your cycle in the filter.

[rita_gwen]

Once again, cyano is not an algae but a bacteria. Some treat it with an antibiotic and others just try to clean most of it out by hand. An antibiotic will destroy your cycle in the filter.

I'm sorry, Lady Hobbs, but this is not entirely correct. I did use Maracin which is erythromycine antibiotic and it worked very well against cyano and didn't affect the filter.
Though I have to say that with the fish/plants ratio I have filter might not be necessary at all because plants absorb any available nitrogen immediately. So it is possible that I just didn't notice filter die-out.

[Lady Hobbs]

Actually, I am glad to hear that because I also used Maracyn once myself with no problem of a loss in my cycle but it was insisted that I was wrong and it would. So I take the high road now to make sure people know that it "might".

There are two different kinds of antiobiotics, as well. The gram negative and gram positive. Maracyn 2 is the gram negative. Not sure as that makes a difference.

But I am happy to hear you had no problem using the Maracyn either. Rather confirms my own experience.

[Evilash]

I believe the cyano killed off my cories.

PH: 7.4
Amm: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 10

I noticed my cories would not swim towards the front of the tank where most of the cyano was. A week later they died off one by one. All other fish in tank are fine. I just took out most of the gravel and replaced it. Sucks.