My tank turned red...

[goose]

I finally got my tank cycled and all the levels are down to zero. I still have three blue and two yellow tail damsals in the tank. As the tank neared the end of it's cycled level, I started to notice a slight red color in my tank. I figured it to be demitris, since the nitrite levels were falling. However.......they are down to zero and the tank is getting worse with the red color. It is now on everything and comes off when you stir it up, but later settles on it. I went to local fish store and the person that owns the shop, says that I might have Marine Velvet. She sold me two tablets of Eurothmycin and said that would take care of it. One week later, I still have the red color in my tank and am clueless of what to do.
If I add algecide in my tank, will that hurt my good bacteria I got established? Don't know what else I can add to get rid of red coloring.

 

[bang guy]

I disagree with the diagnosis of Marine Velvet. I also disagree with using an antibiotic (although it will work).
I believe you are seeing the typical Cyanobacter bloom. This is a blue-green "algae" that's actually closer to a bacteria than an algae.
It feeds on Nitrate, Phosphate, and light. It does best in low flow environments but given enough Phosphate and light it can grow in very strong current.
To check to see if it's Cyano turn the lights off for 24 hours. If it's Cyano there will be a lot less of it. Turning off the lights isn't the solution though... lowering your Phosphate level is.
What is your Phosphate level?
Since your tank just cycled I would suggest that you simply siphon out as much as you can and replace the water with fresh saltwater (water change). Eventually it will go away unless you overfeed your tank.
Guy

 

[goose]

Not sure what my Phospate level is as I don't have a test kit to measure that. I'm going to try and shut the light off for 24 hours to see if that makes a difference. I'm will then do a 20% water change to see if that helps as well.
What about adding some type of aglecide to help control the growth? Will that hurt my tank at all? I have seen some aglecide called Phosguard to help control the growth. Would that help? Also I wouldn't say this is green/blue color.......almost looks like rust and it sticks to everything!!!
Would adding some snails help with the growth? I'm still confused as to what caused this right after my tank cycled. Thanks

 

[bang guy]

I've never used Phosguard so I can't comment. I've never found chemicals to be a good solution to anything though.
Blue-Green is just the type of Algae. The most common Cyanobacter is a deep burgundy color.
Phosphates are almost always high immediately after the tank cycles. It's just the excess nutrients that don't have anything consuming them yet.
A Cyano outbreak is almost inevitable in a new tank. You just don't have all the plants & animals required yet, they need to grow as your tank matures.
I still say be patient and just siphon out as much as you can. Killing it with a chemical or antibiotic is temporary and may do more harm than good.
Do a search on Cyano. I seem to remember a recent link to a good article on this odd organism.
Guy

 

[goose]

Well, I would say you were right on with the problem. I shut the lights off for 22 hours and already see a decrease in the Cyano by about 50%.
I didn't think I was overfeeding, but then I found out my 8 year old son has been helping with the feedings, while I'm at work. So I would say that overfeeding is probably the main cause.
I need to get a different lighting setup too. I have one single 48" bulb and was planning to get a different setup for the future of adding coral, so I might as well bite the bullet and do it now.
I'm think I'm going to purchase some Turbo snails as well, I see from past posts that they will help with the red slime. Thanks again for the help. You were right on!!

 

[bang guy]

I'm glad I could help. I hope it's overfeeding. That's a REALLY easy one to fix.
I've never met a Turbo that eats Cyanobacter.

 

[hnf2k]

another easy way to tell if it's cyno is if there are little air bubbles on it. go next to your tank and stomp on the floor hard. if a lot of little air bubbles come up then you got cyno. the air bubbles are also visible on the bacteria. it traps them.

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by HNF2K
go next to your tank and stomp on the floor hard. if a lot of little air bubbles come up then you got cyno.
...and if you and your tank fall through the floor then you should have added floor support before setting it up and Cyano will be the least of your worries.

 

[surfnturf]

Here's a link to the article that Bang Guy referred to:
http://www.athiel.com/lib/cya.html