Red/rust algae

[hkgar]

My sand bed is being covered with a red/rust colored algae. It lies flat and is sort of like filaments. Any ideas what it is and is it a cause for concern?

 

[locke]

Sounds like red slime algea, which is a cyanobacteria. What are your phosphate & nitrate levels? It could just be too many nutrients in the water, etc.

 

[hkgar]

nitrates are less than 10mg/l. Phospahates are 0/ Nitrite are > .3. i am going do do a 20% water change tonight. hope that helps.

 

[scuba1]

Red Slime algae is really bacteria (cyanobacteria). This is not caused by phosphates. The natural way of ridding the tank of this is to first skim off as much as you can. Then do a 50% water change. Several smaller water changes will not work. You will never get the bacteria down low enough to catch up.. I expect the tank is less that a yr old and I has not matured all the way yet.. After the water change cut lights back to 4hrs a day for 4-5days then start bringing the lights up 1hr a day till back to normal. Also cut back on feeding some. Another suggestion is make sure you have a deep sand bed of at least 3-4in. This will let enough good bacteria grow to help prevent this problem..If you just cannot wait You can use a product called chemi-clean by boyd enterproses, inc... you can do a search on the internet for thier phone # or where to purchase. After using wait 2days then do the water change...Their are no short cuts...good luck...