Purple Algea??

blazefighter

New Member
I am new at this and have already dealt with a severe algea bloom. Now I have a purple like substance growing on the sides and the bottom of the tank. It covers the rocks like a thick carpert and has long hairs at the back of the tank. Some pretty persistant stuff. Anyone know what it is and hoe do I get rid of it.
 

fmarini

Member
HI:
purple??? do you have actinic lighting?
The color sounds like it should be reddish, or purple-ish reddish or brown-reddish. You have most likely a cyanoalgae problem, its a common bloom due to excessive nutreitns in the water. I would do a search for cyano algae (or cyanobacteria is its actual name), and you can read about the treatments.
I don't understand the hair parts, do you have any photos you can post?
frank
 

blazefighter

New Member
Thanks,
Tried to email the pictures, however, even if I zip them the message board tells me they are too big. I will try something else.
 

finland

Member
That looks like red slime algae, cyano bacteria. It is a real pain to get rid of. High nutients in the water, poor lighting, lack of current are all causes. I would suggest making sure your skimmer is working good, do a water change or two and increase current to the affected areas. Make sure you are not over feeding. High phosphates and nitrates is a big cause also. There are also chemicals you can buy to get rid of it, but that doesn't fix the cause of it. If you go that route, your skimmer goes crazy, at least mine did. I tried Red Sime Remover and it did a good job. My flowerpot coral didn't like it much but has recovered just fine. The rest of the inverts showed no stress. There was a good thread on this topic about a week ago in the disease forum started by golfish. Do a search and you can get more ideas by people who have more experience with it then I do.
Oops, I just checked and the topic started by golfish is still current. Just scroll down on the disease forum.
 
S

simm

Guest
Finland is correct is looks like "red Slime Alge". Im just getting over it. The best thing I have used for it that will kill it in about 2 days is Chemi-Clean. Little expensive but as I said a couple of days should get it. If you have a protein skimmer turn it off during the treatment.
 
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