Help - Green Bacteria? slime thrives

[hawdson]

I've had my tank (fish only) for 6 years, for the last year I've been fighting a green slime...I live out in the boonies, no stores close - I've asked for help at the store I buy my fish from (4hours away) they said I could try hydrogen peroxide on it but just don't get it directly on the fish....I tried it didn't help. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[fmarini]

Hi:
Can you provide some additonal descriptions of your tank. Slime algaes or cyanobacteria is usually fueled by excess nutrient build up. My guess is you have nitAtes, high phos, and low current. Whats your bioload like? The more info you give us the better we can make educated suggestions.
Usually the fix is to do multiple water exchanges, get your water paramters back in order, increase flow, scrub the vaccum the tank to remove as much as you can. Decrease feeding, etc.
Also do a search for slime algea removers. There are antibiotics available which will elimiante this stuff, HOWEVER its only a temporary fix.
Please let us know
frank

 

[hawdson]

Thank you for responding...I do not know what a "bioload" is but I will tell you what I do know about my tank. It's a 50 gal tank with holes drilled on bottom of tank that goes to a Fluval 403 filter. I have crushed coral on top of a screen. I have one air stone. I change the water 12 gals approx...every 2-3 wks. The salinity reading is 1.021....I was told to keep it around 1.019 to 1.020. The Ph has always been a problem but it is consistantly now at 8.0. I have started using a ESV B-Ionic Calcium buffer system that was suggested at the store I go to, one bottle is Alkalinity and second bottle is calcium....I have only been faithful with it since the 14th of March this year. I was told it would help raise the Ph but I have not seen any change in it. The water temp. is 76 F. I tested for ammonia and it is 0. I have no other test kits. I have 1 Blue damsel with yellow tail since 11/99, 2-Asularus Clowns since 9/01 and 1 Yellow Tang since 9/01. When I read your response about poor current I'm sure that is one of the problems because it is only a tube that shoots out of the bottom. There is motion but it seems there are dead spots. THank you for all of your help,I hope I have answered your questions. Hawdson

 

[beth]

Perhaps a lawnmower blenny.