Red Algae
- Thread starter reef fool
- Start date
bammbamm74
Member
What's it look like?
bammbamm74
Member
You first have to lower your phosphates, then I've used a stuff called Red Slime Remover by Ultra Reef. It's a yellow powder. Didn't hurt my corals at all
spongebobsquarepants
Member
Get a few fighting concs are some trochus snails.....they eat that stuff up like no tommorrow.
jumpfrog
Active Member
I used the same stuff as bammbamm74. Was hesitant but completely satisfied with the results. Hasn't come back but I also reduced my feeding.
Review the causes of cyano which include high nitrates, low water movement, changes in lighting (too little or old bulbs) for long term results.
Good Luck!
Review the causes of cyano which include high nitrates, low water movement, changes in lighting (too little or old bulbs) for long term results.
Good Luck!
B
bt_1999_66
Guest
Reef Fool,
Let me ask the question....
What are your Phosphate readings and how often do you feed....?
If, your phosphates are high, then you need to do proper water changes with R/O water. If they are not, than your source is something different.
Regarding the feeding table... If you feed daily, cut to every other day and cut down the amount you feed. Rule of thumb, feed your fish enough for each to eat about the size of their eye once at most twice....
Don't ask me where I got the rule of thumb, but I read it some where and have been doing this for about 8 months with no problems and you should have seen my tank before I took some action.
Red slime is really not the end of the world and it really does not take that long to get rid of, but you must find the source.
Good luck...!
Let me ask the question....
What are your Phosphate readings and how often do you feed....?
If, your phosphates are high, then you need to do proper water changes with R/O water. If they are not, than your source is something different.
Regarding the feeding table... If you feed daily, cut to every other day and cut down the amount you feed. Rule of thumb, feed your fish enough for each to eat about the size of their eye once at most twice....
Don't ask me where I got the rule of thumb, but I read it some where and have been doing this for about 8 months with no problems and you should have seen my tank before I took some action.
Red slime is really not the end of the world and it really does not take that long to get rid of, but you must find the source.
Good luck...!
reef fool
Active Member
My phosphates were a little high. I did a 20% water change with r/o water and it cut them down a bit. I definitely am feeding a bit too much. But. I also have what many consider too many fish for a reef tank of my size. I have Mexican turbos and some other smaller snails, but they mainly hit the glass and rocks. I am thinking of a bullet goby as recommended to me by someone. I definitely need more snails. Thanks guys. I am gonna try it naturally w/ inverts and water changes and see how it goes before I try any additives.
david s
Member
here is part of a good algie article I cut and pasted I had cyano read this followed it and it was gone in a day a little work but it was worth it
Red Slime Algae - Cyanobacteria
Red Slime Algae or Cyanobacteria seem to appear out of nowhere.. Some of the contributing factors are.. Poor or incorrect lighting conditions, tanks that are high in Nitrate and or Phosphate, tanks that have a large bio-load and excess organics and poor quality protien skimmers or skimmers that have not been cleaned in a few months..
Cyanobacteria starts off as a small spot or discoloration from bluegreen to dark red and sometimes almost black in color that slowly forms a sheet or mat that rapidly spreads out from the localized spot.. Usually found in an area of low water flow and or low light.. This sheet or mat doesn't attach very well (thankfully) and is easily removed with a syphon hose and certainly should be removed to stop it from spreading.. After removal increase water flow in that area to stop it from reappearing..
Getting rid of Cyanobacteria..You should begin using RO or DI water for all future top-off, kalkwasser addition and water changes.. A few 10-20% water changes (with RO or DI water) will help to dramatically reduce the amount of nutrients present.. You should syphon off as much of the red slime as possible when doing water changes.. The addition of fresh activated carbon helps alot by removing excess organics and impurities from the system.. Use the fresh activated carbon for 3-4 days and then dispose of it (reusing the activated carbon can reintroduce the problem).. Clean your Protien Skimmer and replace the diffuser or clean out the venturi line, whichever is applicable.. If the problem persists, your Protien Skimmer is either undersized for your set-up or is not working effeciently enough to do the job properly.. Change your flourescent lights every 6 months to maintain the correct color spectrum.. Cyanobacteria in an established or mature set-up can also be removed by adding 1-2 cup of substrate or livesand (per 50 gal) from an established set-up (that is not infected with cyanobacteria)..
Red Slime Algae - Cyanobacteria
Red Slime Algae or Cyanobacteria seem to appear out of nowhere.. Some of the contributing factors are.. Poor or incorrect lighting conditions, tanks that are high in Nitrate and or Phosphate, tanks that have a large bio-load and excess organics and poor quality protien skimmers or skimmers that have not been cleaned in a few months..
Cyanobacteria starts off as a small spot or discoloration from bluegreen to dark red and sometimes almost black in color that slowly forms a sheet or mat that rapidly spreads out from the localized spot.. Usually found in an area of low water flow and or low light.. This sheet or mat doesn't attach very well (thankfully) and is easily removed with a syphon hose and certainly should be removed to stop it from spreading.. After removal increase water flow in that area to stop it from reappearing..
Getting rid of Cyanobacteria..You should begin using RO or DI water for all future top-off, kalkwasser addition and water changes.. A few 10-20% water changes (with RO or DI water) will help to dramatically reduce the amount of nutrients present.. You should syphon off as much of the red slime as possible when doing water changes.. The addition of fresh activated carbon helps alot by removing excess organics and impurities from the system.. Use the fresh activated carbon for 3-4 days and then dispose of it (reusing the activated carbon can reintroduce the problem).. Clean your Protien Skimmer and replace the diffuser or clean out the venturi line, whichever is applicable.. If the problem persists, your Protien Skimmer is either undersized for your set-up or is not working effeciently enough to do the job properly.. Change your flourescent lights every 6 months to maintain the correct color spectrum.. Cyanobacteria in an established or mature set-up can also be removed by adding 1-2 cup of substrate or livesand (per 50 gal) from an established set-up (that is not infected with cyanobacteria)..