How to stop this ALGAE?! Pics included.

kellenr

kellenr

Member
I've been having a sudden bloom of algae that has never really gone away but just came around slower over the last several weeks. It started out as brown/rust colored algae that formed a layer across my sand bed and front glass pane. It slowly made its way to the tops of rocks where light hit. Now over the last few days its suddenly become overwhelming!
The original algae I thought was diatoms (which it probably was and I think is dramatically reduced to due to Phosphate and Silicate removal I did a few weeks ago). However now I'm noticing an algae that's more of a slime-like texture that has long 'stringys' swaying up off the rocks and even of some of my corals. Is this red slime? It also has some bubbles in it. Not necessarily 'bubble algae' but like air bubbles in it.
What is an effective way to remove this algae growth and dramatically cut it back? I know I'll always have a few minor algae issues but this is a mess. I'll clean up and gravel-vac early in the day and literally THAT night I'll have it all over my sand bed again. I NEED to do something here, not only is it unsightly but its covering all kinds of stuff in my tank. I'm losing this battle here!

(Note: My 29gal tank is about 4mos old, params are excellent, routine WC's, 130w PC's, 81*F, overload of LR & LS, inverts and clean-up crews, polyps and other soft corals, 1 blue tang, 2 clowns, sixline wrasse).
I attached a few pics below of prominent spots.



 
mrinelfrlz

mrinelfrlz

Member
are you using tap water or do you have a water filter system for your water you put in your tank?
because if you are using tap then this could possibly be the culprit
also what do you have for a cleaning crew?
 
kellenr

kellenr

Member
Originally Posted by MrineLfRlz
http:///forum/post/2630242
are you using tap water or do you have a water filter system for your water you put in your tank?
because if you are using tap then this could possibly be the culprit
also what do you have for a cleaning crew?
No, I'm not using tap water. I 'originally' filled the tank with tap water before cycling it etc. 4mos ago. Ever since then I've been using RO Water and have done numerous good sized water changes since then, so I think most of the tap water should be out by now anyway, or the remaining has probably been filtered out. I noticed diatoms so then put in some Kent Phosphate Sponge into the filter about a month ago to remove excess phosphates and silicates. It's been RO water all the way since then.
I have 3 hermit crabs and 2 astrea snails (and plan on getting a cleaner shrimp or two tomorrow).
 
scopus tang

scopus tang

Active Member
What you are getting is cyanobacteria (not truly an algae). This stuff shows up in areas of lower flow. normally I would tell you to redirect your powerheads, but based on the fact you're getting it top to bottom in your tank, I would say you have another issue. What is the overall turnover or flow rate in your tank (i.e. all pumps, powerheads, etc.)? I'm betting you need to increase your turnover or flow rate.
 
kellenr

kellenr

Member
Yeah, actually I was planning on increasing my waterflow/ turnover as is. Now that you said it I do think it's appearing in areas that are 'blocked' from flow. I think mine turnsover around 10x per hour (which I know should be more like double that). I'm going tomorrow to purchase a second powerhead. I want something strong, like at least 300gph. Which way should I position my powerheads? Is there certain placement thats better than others? Also should they all be pointed so it keeps the current moving in one direction or should they be pointed across each other so the currents 'clash' and cross paths?
 
scopus tang

scopus tang

Active Member
Originally Posted by KellenR
http:///forum/post/2630257
Yeah, actually I was planning on increasing my waterflow/ turnover as is. Now that you said it I do think it's appearing in areas that are 'blocked' from flow. I think mine turnsover around 10x per hour (which I know should be more like double that). I'm going tomorrow to purchase a second powerhead. I want something strong, like at least 300gph. Which way should I position my powerheads? Is there certain placement thats better than others? Also should they all be pointed so it keeps the current moving in one direction or should they be pointed across each other so the currents 'clash' and cross paths?
Usually I place two opposite each other on the side walls pointing across the tank towards opp wall. You'll want one positioned so it disturbs, but doesn't break the surface of the water in the tank. Position the other so it moves the water behind your rockwork if possible. May need to add a third (small one) for behind the rock, depending on how your tank is set up.
 
kellenr

kellenr

Member
Originally Posted by Scopus Tang
http:///forum/post/2630258
Usually I place two opposite each other on the side walls pointing across the tank towards opp wall. You'll want one positioned so it disturbs, but doesn't break the surface of the water in the tank. Position the other so it moves the water behind your rockwork if possible. May need to add a third (small one) for behind the rock, depending on how your tank is set up.
Awesome, that sounds great,
I may get 2 more so I can have a lower third one move water behind the rocks. So if I have a 29gal I should have about 500-600gph to get good strong flow right? So if I just setup more powerheads and get my circulation up do you think the algae will start to go away or do I need to do further action to rid it now?
 
findingnemo2

findingnemo2

Member
You might try turbo snails, they are good at cleaning things up. I was having problems and put a few in my tank and no more problems. Of course you do need to make sure your flow is correct as stated earlier but the turbo snails are great clean up fellows.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Red Slime (Cyano Bacteria)
Cyano grows on top of nutrient rich areas of low flow. There are a number of things that need to be correct or possibly corrected to combat this without the use of chemical additives. The biggest thing is to get rid of the extra nutrients.
1.Evaluate your feeding. If you are feeding more than can be eaten in about 1-2 minutes it is too much and the remainder of it is falling to the rock and sand and becoming nutrient.
2.Evaluate your flow. If you have areas in the tank where there is little to no flow this can be corrected by adding power heads or repositioning the ones you already have. You don’t need to create sand storms just have water moving over the area to keep detritus suspended in the water column for removal by your filter – skimmer.
3.Evaluate your water changes. The solution to pollution is dilution! You want to continually remove unneeded nutrients as well as replace those things that are used by the system. 10% weekly is a good change schedule. Some do 20% every other week and some vary the schedule from there, but a good start is 10% per week.
4.Evaluate your lighting schedule. About 10 hours of daylight is all that is needed.
5.If you have a cyano outbreak do the above 4 items andh:
a.At water change time siphon off the cyano first. It will come up easily almost like a blanker.
b.After siphoning stir the affected areas a little to suspend any detritus for the water change and filtering - skimming removal.
c.Use a turkey baster now and at every water change in the future to again suspend the detritus for removal by the water change and your filtering – skimming.
Keeping nutrient levels low to non-existent will help to avoid cyano outbreaks and any algae outbreaks as well as keep your tank and you happy happy.
Hope that helps.
 
kellenr

kellenr

Member
Thanks 'spanko', sounds good. I will be adding another powerhead (or two) to create current in these dead areas. I really don't overfeed, I actually think I feed lighter than normal. But I do leave my lights on for 12-13hrs sometimes. I'm going to try this out and see what happens. Thanks!
 
9supratt4

9supratt4

Active Member
I had the same thing in my tank and it did in fact turn out to be red slime algae. It was on everything....the sand, rocks, glass and even though I cleaned it off and added more flow it didn't help. I bought a product called Red Slime Remover. After adding it the first time it cleared my tank up ALOT!! It started to come back and I used it a second time and I haven't had the problem since!!
If you do use thge product....make sure to follow the directions exact!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top