Blue Life Red Cyano Rx is a quick, veterinarian-approved treatment formulated to eliminate disease-causing Cyanobacteria (red slime algae) from live rock, live coral, and live sand in saltwater and reef aquariums. Safe for corals, fish, and beneficial nitrifying bacteria when used as directed, Red Cyano Rx restores cleanliness to your display without discoloring the water.
Key Features & Benefits
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Reef-Safe & Veterinarian Approved: Safe for delicate corals, invertebrates, fish, and beneficial nitrifying bacteria.
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Rapid Cyanobacteria Eradication: Quickly clears stubborn red, brown, and black cyano mats from sandbeds, aquascapes, and coral bases.
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Preserves Water Clarity: Formulated to treat cyanobacteria efficiently without staining or discoloring the aquarium water.
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Protects Biological Balance: Targets unwanted cyanobacterial mats while leaving the aquarium's beneficial bacterial population intact.
Preparation & Dosing Guidelines
Pre-Treatment Preparation:
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Measure your aquarium water parameters. Ensure the pH is greater than 8.0 before starting treatment.
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Turn off your protein skimmer, ozone generator, and remove activated carbon or chemical filtration media during treatment.
Dosing Instructions & Timing:
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Dose in the Morning: Always dose in the morning right when the aquarium lights first turn on. Natural daytime pH rises with lighting, helping offset potential pH dips caused by dying cyanobacteria.
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Monitor pH & Alkalinity: Dosing may temporarily reduce pH and lower alkalinity. Keep a buffering agent on hand and test levels during treatment.
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Mandatory Water Change: Perform a 25% water change within 12 hours following each dose to remove decaying organic matter and help stabilize water chemistry.
Technical Specifications
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Target Organisms: Cyanobacteria (Red Slime, Black Slime, Grainy Brown Cyano)
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System Compatibility: Marine & Reef Aquariums
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Water Parameter Requirements: Target pH > 8.0 prior to dosing
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Filter Adjustments Required: Discontinue Protein Skimmer, Carbon, and Ozone during treatment
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Post-Dose Maintenance: 25% Water Change within 12 hours after dosing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why must I dose Red Cyano Rx in the morning? A: Aquarium pH naturally drops overnight when lights are off and rises during the day. Because dying cyanobacteria and treatment compounds can depress pH, dosing in the morning when lighting turns on provides a natural buffer against dangerous night-time pH crashes.
Q: Why is a 25% water change required within 12 hours of dosing? A: As Cyanobacteria rapidly dies off, it releases trapped nutrients, organic waste, and toxins back into the water. Performing a 25% water change within 12 hours exports this decaying waste, protecting oxygen levels and preventing ammonia spikes.
Q: When can I turn my protein skimmer and carbon back on? A: Keep carbon, protein skimming, and ozone off during the active treatment period. Once the 25% water change is complete and cyanobacteria is resolved, you can resume running activated carbon and turn your protein skimmer back on (note that skimmers may over-foam briefly post-treatment).
Recommended Complementary Products
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Aquaforest KH Buffer or Seachem Reef Buffer: Helps maintain stable alkalinity and keeps pH above 8.0 during treatment.
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Seachem SeaGel: Specialized chemical filter media to run post-treatment for polishing water clarity and trapping leftover organics.
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Aquaforest Pro Bio S: Introduces beneficial probiotic bacteria post-treatment to outcompete cyanobacteria and prevent it from returning.