can you identify this algae?

[rsmfish]

we have some maroon hairy algae all over our tank that seemed to pop up overnight. Can someone tell me how to get rid of it? and what it is?
I will attach a photo soon...but in the mean time this stuff is all over the sand and growing on the live rock.

 

[spanko]

Use the search at the top and look for cyano bacteria.

 

[veni vidi vici]

cyanobacteria aka red slime algea

 

[rsmfish]

I did the "search" and got all sorts of info....THANKS! I'll be starting the suggestions tomorrow...

 

[rsmfish]

Does anyone know how long I should keep the skimmer turned off while doing a chemical treatmeat for cyno?

 

[culp]

at least 48 hours. or your skimmer will just go nuts.
and after 48 hours of using the chemical you MUST do a good 20% water change.
remember to get as much aeration into the water as possible because the red slime chemical's remove a lot of air out of the water so if you don't get enough aeration your fish will die.