Red Algae removers?

bammbamm74

bammbamm74

Member
I am getting a red algae outbreak in my tank. :(
Haven't done anything different in my tank except that last water change I did, I used water from a water store that uses R/O. I add Iodine for my xenias, I hand feed my anemone and shrimp and I add Kent Stontium/??? and Microvert about twice a week. All levels are good.....sg 1.023, temp 79 and steady, ph 8.3, nitrates 10-15ppm and dropping, nitrite 0, ammonia 0. My tank is a 25 gallon with 2 20watt lights, one actinic and on 10K, ran for 9.5 hours a day. You think my phosphates are high? Should I get more light (I am one day, money is short now) Some people sell a "phosphate remover" liquid, not sponge, do they work? Some LFS have a red algae remover, do they work?
Thanks in advance.
 
steamboat1569

steamboat1569

Member
I had an outbreak of red slime agea (cyanobacteria), and I purchased something called Red Slime Remover, put out by Ultralife Reef Products. It said that it will not affect corals or fish. I put it in, and within a week the red slime was gone. The corals in my tank did not like the stuff, but they did ok. One thing you need to do though is turn off your protien skimmer if you have one. Let it work for about a week and do a good water change before turning your skimmer back on. This stuff creates a lot of bubbles.
You should check for phosphate levels and silicates. Some store bought water still tests high on these.
hope this helps.
 
steamboat1569

steamboat1569

Member
One other thing. I would tone down on your use of microvert. In my own oppinion, you are using it way too much. I only add a capful once a month.
 
bammbamm74

bammbamm74

Member
Ok, great, thanks for the help. I will try that red slime remover today. I'll test some phosphates and silicates too. I have to go get the tests for that.
But, about the microvert, that is a once a week dosing. I run my protein skimmer 24/7, doesn't the protein skimmer remover the microvert? I can tone it down though. Maybe like 1/4 teaspoon a week
 
steamboat1569

steamboat1569

Member
In your original post, you stated that you were putting the microvert in twice a week. Once a week may be ok in small doses. Your protien skimmer will remove organics, but it may not be getting to them as fast as the red slime. I would still tone down on the microvert, I think it will help in the long run.
 
bammbamm74

bammbamm74

Member
Thanks Steamboat. I didn't mean to say that I dosed Microvert twice a week, my mistake. I do a full dose on Sundays. I got some RedSlime Algae remover and will try it out tonight. Hope my anemone and shrooms won't get bothered too much. After this, I'm getting a phosphate tester and remover and I'm going to start using DI water from my LFS. I also add Calcium but not that often. I do need a test for that. :D
 
y2says

y2says

Member
Red slime removers will help, but you need to find the source. It could be from overfeeding to currents. Try to eliminate as much dead spots as possible.
 
deucey

deucey

Member
Red Slime Remover by Ultrareefs is a good product...the only thing is i suggest using alittle less than the recommended doseage....i have used it and had not ill affects on any coral or fish....it seems to be a great product....good luck!!
 
bammbamm74

bammbamm74

Member
Thanks everyone. I got UltraLife Reef Products Red Slime remover today and only used about enough for 20 gallons. I have my skimmer on, but with the tube on the primer plug (it's a prizm and I'm using it for water movement) I don't have any dead spots in my tank really. The slime is growing in the front of the tank under high current. So, after this, I'm buying Salifert's Phosphate remover and going from there. Will update to let you know my experience with Red Slime Remover. Oh, I sucked out most of the big patches of slime before I put it in to help with the healing process.
 
bammbamm74

bammbamm74

Member
Ok, that RedSlime remover ROCKS!!!> By Saturday afternoon, almost all the red slime had passed on. <img src="graemlins//freak.gif" border="0" alt="[freak]" /> Then, by Saturday night, there was no more red slime. That stuff worked great. I turned my skimmer back on this morning and it was working overtime. Now to get the phosphate remover and only use RO/DI water from Jeff's.
Thanks for your help everyone!!!
 
saltylake

saltylake

Member
i also had a serious red algea out break in my tank several months ago. I reduced the lighting and also reduced the amount of feeding but this did not control or stop the red algea bloom. I proceeded to use the one cap full of the yellow powder and in less than three day my algea had disapeared, and has not ever returned.
 
mlm

mlm

Active Member
BTW I use microvert also and what you could try and do is just put a few drops a day instead of all at once. This way there is a constant flow of food and not a big source of nutrients all at once.
 
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