red algae
- Thread starter andy lim
- Start date
cprdnick
Active Member
Try this post made by a member a while back. It really helped me out when I had a problem with cyanobacteria. I also have a chemical I can recommend, but I usually save that until everything has been tried. I don't like chemicals being put in my aquarium and I won't recommend one to anyone until it's absolutely necessary. It is going to take time, so be patient with it.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/73002/how-to-rid-your-tank-of-red-slime
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https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/73002/how-to-rid-your-tank-of-red-slime
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beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Originally posted by ANDY LIM
can anyone tell me how to get rid of red algae growing on my substrate. :help:
And how to remove coralline algae on the tank walls ?
Red cyano can be a real problem. Basically more plant life to starve it out would help. It also may help to temporarily reduce lighting do kill off the red and help other plant life get and keep ahead. But in the mean time you have to keep removing the stuff until it goes away.
The red coraling on the glass will have to be scrapped off. I use a plastic window scrapper for cars.
hirock
Member
Cyano bacteria could be either a gram-positive rod or gram-negative rod. This can only be identified & determined by an actual gram stain. Sometimes, you can exhaust all practical means and measures, with no progress and loads of frustration. Water movement, lighting & DOC's all play a factor in this equation. However, in doing all these changes, it may not totally eradicate your problem. The bacteria may go away in a few days, only to return a month later. I always try to first start with the removal of DOC's and increasing overall circulation within the system. I would then move on to the lighting (age of the lamps) If this fails to accomplish your goals, you can always go to your LFS or online and order some Red Slime Remover. A fairly good antibiotic to destroy the bacteria. This may be your only recourse. IME, I have tested a few different antibiotics on the market, and IMHO, cephalexin, AKA: Keflex works very well in ridding your system of these bacteria. 2 - 500 mg capsules dissolved in luke warm water (r/o - distilled) and dripped into the system (turn off your skimmer and take the carbon out of your mechanical filtration) will rid your system within a few days. Sometimes a second dosage is necessary for total elimination, although, rarely needed. You can start up the skimmer a day after your initial dosage.
Good Luck
Good Luck
blk822
Member
I ahve used a product called RED SLIME REMOVER. thats really what its called. It works but if your O2 is low you can have a real problem. I used this stuff and I think my o2 was low and during use you have to turn off protien skimmers . The next day I had a tank full of dead fish. So be really careful useing the easy way out.
cprdnick
Active Member
I am very leary about recommending any kind of anti biotic to anyone. For this main reason. Antibiotics are utilized to kill bacteria basically. Well, what do we use for our main filtration? We use bacteria. I have heard of people putting amoxicillan in their aquariums to rid the habitat of cyanobacteria only to kill the tank. I would go with the natural methods and ignore any quick fixes for the moment. Antibiotics and chemicals are only going to get rid of it for the time being, you will see it again if you don't use patience and knowledge.
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