One of the most frequent questions I receive is how do I have such amazing water clarity and an overall clean looking setup. Well, it quite simple and you can easily do the same while also helping rid yourself of cyano or and the very least not allowing it to gain a foothold in your system. While this is not a cure-all, it will help you achieve your goals and help maintain a healthy aquarium.
For a number of years I had purchased branded products of Coral Snow to help achieve water clarity. That is, until I asked around and found that you can simply make you own Coral Snow solution, saving you hundreds of dollars.
What is Coral Snow?
At its simplest, Coral Snow is a Flocculant.
Flocculant’s work by binding small particles together into a larger mass that can be easily removed via filter socks or a proteins skimmer. The Coral Snow can also help to removal yellowing compounds such as phenols while at the same time helping neutralizes some undesirable chemicals in the system.
Personally, I use this powder LINK and one jar should last you years. Creating the solution couldn’t be any simpler.
Quick mix Option:
- For those looking to quickly dose and not store a long term bottled solution, you can mix 1/2 teaspoon of Calcium Carbonate for every 50 gallons of system water volume in 8 oz of RODI water. Mix and let sit for five minutes. After which, give it another quick stir and dose.
Bottled Option:
- Select a clean container, one that is resealable and able to be shaken. I use an old creatine bottle.
- Per 500ML, add 10 level tablespoons of powder to roughly 425-450ML of RO/DI water.
- Shake the bottle up, and let it sit for two hours. After which, it will be ready to use.
- Now, I don’t believe that you can overdose with this product, but a good recommended dose is 5ml per 50gl of aquarium volume.
- Be sure to shake up the bottle prior to each use as the powder can settle.
The best time to add the solution to you aquarium is after conducting maintenance such as blowing off the rocks, cleaning the glass, siphoning the sand or conducting a water change. Ideally, you should be doing all of the aforementioned maintenance items during a water change, but that discussion is for another time.
Now, on to my personal favorite use of the product: preventing and getting rid of Cyano!
Cyano Solution
Cyano, in all its forms, has been the bane of many a reefers existence. Nothing can upset or ruin the appearance of an aquarium display like that nasty, slimy cyano! The algae is present in all systems, and dates back to the dawn of planet but you can keep it from taking over your aquarium and causing you heartache.
Ideally, you want to be taking preventative measures to ensure that cyano does not gain any real estate in your reef. Prevention is always easier than treatment, but if you can always treat it too.
To amplify the Coral Snow, you will need a bacterial solution. Most will do, but I like Microbacter7 by Brightwell Aquatics. What we are doing here is mixing the bacteria with the Coral Snow, allowing it to bond and adhere to the surface of sand and rock. Basically, we’re trying to eliminate land for the cyano to stake its claim. While most of the Coral Snow will be removed via filtration, there will be a bit that coats you aquariums surfaces, in this case with bacteria that will out compete algae.
The Mix
Take your measured solution of Coral Snow and add it to a small container.
- A plastic or glass cup will suffice.
- Next, add 10 drops of Microbacter7 per 5ML of Coral Snow.
- Allow 5 minutes for the solution to sit and then dose into your aquarium.
Note that Coral Snow will cloud your aquarium for at least two hours. Filter socks and Protein Skimmer(s) should be left on.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you find this Coral Snow solution to be advantageous. I have used it for years with great results. My aquariums are devoid of cyano and nuisance algae. The fish look like their floating in mid air and the true colors of the corals are allowed to shine through.
I dose once a week but there is no issue dosing it daily if you are dealing with a particularly bad breakout of cyano. For best results, siphon out as much cyano as possible before dosing Coral Snow.
Good luck and if you need any additional help please feel free to reach out.
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