Cyanobacteria in Deep Substrate?

[AnsleyBleu]

I have cyanobacteria that I treated by Maracyn a few months ago, but that distinct smell keeps coming back. I can see it in the sides of my deep substrate and it keeps creeping up through the substrate every so often. I stir with a stick and the smell is gone for a bit, but it persists. I don't think the treatment was not able to penetrate the substrate.

Would It help if I treated again and permanently blacked-out the sides of my substrate?

I have a 29g planted community with about 3.5 - 4" of substrate (pool filter sand covered by crushed coral and aquasoil).

Filtration: HOB turned down for low flow on one side, and tiny sponge filter in opposite corner turned down to minimize splashing onto the lid.

Stocking: MTS, ramshorns, mini ramshorns, a few bladder snails, 4 nerites, 12 chili raspboras, 6 dwarf corydoras, many neocaradina, 6 amano, two pseudomugil gertrudae.

Water perameters: GH is through the roof, but keeping up with KH is tricky. I think the MTS are carbonate hogs with their super thick shells. 🙂

 

 

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

Well the tank is beautiful first of all. Honestly I've never seen it done but it would be a cool experiment to black out the bottom of the tank along the outside and see if that helps. If I were in your position I'd probably treat the tank again after completing that blackout. Then you'll have to let us know how it goes. 

[JoeQ]

Here is l link that might help

https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/blue-green-algae

BGA is so efficient on using ANY light that I see a blackout as pretty much useless. I'd treat the tank but if you do not treat the underlying causes it will most likely reappear. Good luck, let us know how it goes! 

[Streetwise]

Do you have window light?

[AnsleyBleu]

On 11/20/2021 at 10:29 PM, Torrey said:

 

There was maybe 15 mins of morning light for a few weeks when the sun was much lower angle and reached across the room through sliding glass doors, otherwise there is no direct window light. The room is not dark though.