Red/Brown Algae

ugotktfo

Member
I keep getting a reddish brown slimy algae on my sand bed even after frequent water changes. Does anyone know what this is and how I can stop it from coming back?
 

flower

Well-Known Member

Is it like a blanket, comes up as one piece? It might be cyano...increase water flow to that area if you are doing water changes already that’s good and be careful not to overfeed. Get as much of it up as you can manually.
 

ugotktfo

Member
It is like a sheet that comes up all at once. So increasing water flow across the bed would help eliminate it along with water changes? Is there any treatment I could buy that would help as well?
 

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by UgotKTFO
http:///forum/post/3078037
It is like a sheet that comes up all at once. So increasing water flow across the bed would help eliminate it along with water changes? Is there any treatment I could buy that would help as well?

There is some stuff called red X and there are others like chemclean they all take care of it. Be sure to follow instructions to the letter, they can be dangerous to your corals, otherwise they are safe enough.
Some don't like using chemicals as it won't fix the problem that caused it in the first place.
Do this:
Get up as much as you can, use the medicine and do a small water change after, and get some water flow to the area. Be very careful not to overfeed.
 

ugotktfo

Member
I'm worried it could be a problem with the water that I'm changing with. I don't have an RO unit and have just used tap water. If I don't have to money to buy a unit, what are my options? Would a PUR water filter on my tap help at all?
 

skadwick

Member
Originally Posted by UgotKTFO
http:///forum/post/3078176
I'm worried it could be a problem with the water that I'm changing with. I don't have an RO unit and have just used tap water. If I don't have to money to buy a unit, what are my options? Would a PUR water filter on my tap help at all?
Go to kroger, most have REFILLABLE 1g jugs that are about $1.20 Ea. on the inital purchase but refils are only $0.29 per gallon. This water is RO/DI water and should help GREATLY with the bloom you are having. If they dont have the refillable ones just get regular distilled water. Its about 89 cents a gallon but it is worth it. Tap water can cause huge problems.
Like everyone else has said try to suck it up when doing water changes or with a turkey basiter, increase water flow in the area and dont use tap water. Hope you get it taken care of!
 
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