Oh No It's the Red Dragon!!

reeflower

reeflower

Member
I have a small area of my tank that is being inhabited by RED SLIME ALGAE!!!
Is there anything I can do to get rid of this problem??
Tank perams are perfect as always, i have a HOB filter, heater, PC lighting and a 400watt powerhead.
What is the deal and how can i get rid of it???
 
palumbo

palumbo

Member
Tap water or R/O water? Tap water helps this stuff propogate. Chemi clean is an awesome chemical that gets rid of this stuff over night, however, you don't want to use it if your tank is fairly new because you'll have to do a large water change after 48 hours. Check your feeding habits, add powerheads for extra flow(especially towards the problematic areas). Extra flow will prevent the bacteria from settling. Good luck!
 
reeflower

reeflower

Member
I use distilled water. My tank has been up for about 5 months. I will move my powerhead and see if that helps.
 
vlondi

vlondi

Member
More flow definately helps. Reducing the algae's (really cyanobacteria) food source will do its part as well. How often do you feed? You may need to reduce some.
Another option, one that I am currently using because of my slime problem, is to try an oxidizer. What they are is basically an additive that breaks detritus and left-over food into smaller particles faster and easier; these are picked up by your protein skimmer much more easily removing them from your tank. The first week or so that you use it you will notice a noticeable difference in how much gunk is skimmed out. This is a slower process than the chemiclean mentioned earlier but is safe and good for general maintainance of your tank (in my opinion). It is also pretty darn cheap ($5 for a 4oz bottle, you only need 3 drops/10gallons). I use the Kent brand Poly-Ox.
 
tthemadd1

tthemadd1

Active Member
If you want to go the natural approach. You should make sure that your lighting is correct for the amount of water you are lighting. As well as stop adding alot of nutrient to the tank. You might want to try a small refug. on a different time cycle. I have noticed that with a fuge my CO2 levels drop completely. Hook up a ten gallon maybe that will help.
Themaddhatter
 
reeflower

reeflower

Member
I took the cover off the tank so the CO2 can escape. I added a powerhead and moved it toward the area of cyano in question. I also reduced my lighting time to 5 hours a day (only till i think the cyano is gone then i will slowly bring up the time). And reduced my feeding to smaller portions every other day. I hope that I can kick this cyano...i would hate to re-start! :scared:
 
snipe

snipe

Active Member
Right now im fighting hair algea "at least I think its hair algea" I have cut my light down to 4 hours and have kept sunlight off my tank but its still there. No spreading just still there. Im sure it my water cuasing it. Cant wait for my filter to come "water filter not aquarium filter".
 
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