whitejeep73
New Member
i have a problem with red algae how can i get rid of it
red algae
- Thread starter whitejeep73
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whitejeep73
New Member
yes its like a blanket
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
If it's a mat-like coating that is sort of slimy, and can be removed easily, then it's probably cyanobacteria. Typically this can be corrected homeopathically by increasing water flow over the problem areas, multiple water changes while siphoning the goo out, and keeping your nitrate and phosphate levels low.
If you have a very bad infestation, I'm going to buck tradition and recommend a red slime remover powder from your LFS. Use it according to its directions, including the water changes (otherwise the nutrients released by the dying cyano will just fuel another, larger outbreak!!) and then focus on fixing the root of the problem....the issues outlined above. Remember, any chemical algaecide we put in our tanks will only solve the symptom, not the causative agent. The only point (IMO) of these products is to make the tank look "pretty" in short order, but the algae will reoccur if you don't fix the main problem.
If you have a very bad infestation, I'm going to buck tradition and recommend a red slime remover powder from your LFS. Use it according to its directions, including the water changes (otherwise the nutrients released by the dying cyano will just fuel another, larger outbreak!!) and then focus on fixing the root of the problem....the issues outlined above. Remember, any chemical algaecide we put in our tanks will only solve the symptom, not the causative agent. The only point (IMO) of these products is to make the tank look "pretty" in short order, but the algae will reoccur if you don't fix the main problem.
whitejeep73
New Member
thanks for the help. i have a few more powerheads i can put in. i will give that a shot