Chemi-Clean has been around for years, but early in 2010 an updated version came to market in liquid form rather than its powdered predecessor. Not that there was anything wrong with mixing up the powder in a small cup of water; still Boyd Enterprises felt there was a need for an even more user-friendly version.
Chemi-Clean removes cyano bacteria(1) in a reef tank, and works its magic in about 48 to 72 hours. While traveling last October, I was able to purchase a bottle at Reefapalooza(2). I've used Chemi-clean repeatedly over the years when my tank was smitten with a cyano bacteria 'bloom' (that familiar red blanket covering the sand, rockwork and even some corals). The routine is always the same: Turn off all your filtration (skimmers, remove any carbon, GFO / phosphate removers, turn off ozone & uv sterilizers) and dose the tank. 48 hours to 72 hours later, inspect the tank and if it looks devoid of cyano, do a minimum of a 25% water change and resume all filtration. It is also recommended to add oxygen to the system with a powered air pump and air stone during the full treatment.
With my set up, I needed to treat for 300-gallons of saltwater. Counting out 300 drops was a pain for me, but for a nano tank-owner, counting out 12 or 24 drops (12g or 24g tank) it would be easy. I found that the bottle wasn't accommodating enough for the squeeze-and-count method. As I tried to squeeze drop after drop, the plastic bottle's resistance was annoying. After counting out maybe 15 drops, I'd release the bottle to let more air into the bottle, and resume. After adding over 100 drops, I was frustrated and began to shake the bottle over the water, counting the multiple drops as best I could. When I reached what I believed to be 300 drops, I stopped. For the next two days, I waited for the cyano to die. I mixed up new saltwater for the water change. Due to the strong flow in my system, the fact that water pours down into my sump and then is pumped back into the display tank, I don't run an air stone. If someone had a small tank with low flow and a surface that barely moved, I would urge them strongly to add oxygen for the needs of the fish and corals. For serious reefkeepers running well-designed set ups, they can make up their own mind what their system needs. If you have any doubt, just use the air stone as recommended.
When talking to one of Boyd Enterprise's representatives about the bottle squeezing issue, I was told that the instructions state that the cap holds 50 drops. I felt pretty dumb since I always read the instructions. Prior to doing this write up, I read the folded up instructions in the box, I read the printed label on the bottle, and I read the box itself. Nowhere did I find that little nugget of information, so you are hearing it now. Alternately, if you have a big system, you might find another way to measure out those 2 fl oz / 59g of fluid.
The product worked perfectly as expected, removing all the cyano. My skimmer went crazy after the big water change, and the system was devoid of the reddish stuff. If it could be put into the same type of big eye-drop bottle Phosphate Control uses, I'd be happy as a clam.
Chemi-Clean is available online and should be sold in most fish stores. Pricing will vary, but seems to cost between $20 to $29 depending on the vendor. It will treat up to 720 gallons of water, so a bottle could last most hobbyists a decent duration. Cyano blooms from time to time, and treating three or four times a year doesn't have to be a costly battle. This product works, and I will continue to recommend this brand to everyone that needs help.
I should add that it works with all livestock and that I've never had any losses of livestock (fish/corals/clams/anemones/inverts) whatsoever during the dosing treatment or shortly thereafter.
Additional reading:
(1) What is cyano bacteria and how can I get rid of it? http://www.reefaddicts.com/content.p...-get-rid-of-it
(2) Reefapalooza - what a show! http://www.reefaddicts.com/content.p...10-what-a-show
I purchased this product for the purpose of this product review (as well as to treat my tank), which I must state for legal reasons.
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