Red Slime Algae

[debbers]

Hi,
I did some searching for red slime algae (cyno) and I know several of you have had outbreaks of it in recent months. I just had an outbreak, and it's spreading like wildfire!
How have you taken care of it, and how successful has it been?
I just did a water change a week ago, but I'm thinking of doing a 50% change (as was recommended) and trying to syphon some of it up.
Has anyone tried the chemical approach?
Any other info. out there?
Thanks,
~D~

 

[dive1]

It has been over a yr since my attact but I did beat the beast..It did take a 50% water change and cutting back the lights to 4hr day for a wk. then bringing them up 1hr a day till back to normal. Also removed as much of the red as I could. When under control I increased my sand bed to over 3in and have not had an outbreak since. This usually happens with a fairly new tank rather than one that has matured. I tried several things before a member called BurnNspy wrote his article and showed the math on why there has to be 50% water change and that two 25% water changes does not equal 50%. Before this I was doing several smaller changes and it just would not wk. Could never get ahead of the game... Good luck.. terry

 

[debbers]

Thanks for the reply.
I was reading in a previous post that it had to be a 50% water change... I just wasn't sure why. But I'll take your word for it!
Can you explain more about the 3" sandbed? Is this a DSB you're referring to? My sandbed isn't that deep, and I didn't use LS.
You're right in that my tank is still young, and I just upgraded my lighting a few weeks ago. I'm guessing that's why I've got this outbreak. With my corals, I'm not sure I can cut down to 4 hrs per day... but I can cut back to maybe 6?
~D~

 

[mlm]

What kind of water do you use for your top off and make up water? Tap or RO? How much do you feed? These could be the problem.

 

[dive1]

Good suggestion on water source and feeding. This could contribute to the problem especially the overfeeding. 3in is a dsb 4in even better. Still the most natural solution right now is water change and reduce light. The water change gets the water quality up so the good bateria in the sand bed will have a chance to catch up. The source of the problem still needs to be removed which very well could be the lights and feeding. Good luck, terry

 

[nerdy]

Red slime is usually caused by fluctuations in temperature. From spring to summer you should notice it most. I used a product called Antired made by Aqualine Germany. You give it two dosages in one day. It is completely gone overnight!!!

 

[plum70rt]

Debbers ?What Happened I though you had that Beat?

 

[kevin j]

I had red algea on my sandd bed its pretty well beat just a little left ! I personally would not use chemicals becuase if it kills bad bacteria it will kill good. So here are a few things to chew on. How old are your lights I have been told that old lights change spec. and the algea love that. What kind of water do you use ro or tap. Also do you have enough movement in your tank maybe add another power head.
Hope this can help I know its not fun.

 

[debbers]

Ok plum70rt... no fair rubbing salt into the wound!!
I had it all cleaned up... then BAM! There was the red slime!! It literally appreared overnight!!
Ok, as for water... I use tap water that has been filtered and treated.
The lights... the 10k daylight is brand new (I just replaced it a few weeks ago), and the 7100 actinic (or just painted blue! ask bang guy) I don't know. Slothy bought it, then sold it to mikegronholz, then sold it to me.
I feed frozen food every 2 or 3 days... a rotation of enriched brine, mysis, squid, "emerald entree" and "marine cuisine". I add 10 ml. of DT's also every 2 or 3 days.
Do you guys think a DSB would really help? I know I've got pods and at least one bristleworm... doesn't the LR seed the sand? Mine is about 2" in the lowest spot and 3" in the deepest.
The temp. holds VERY steady at 80 degrees...
Did I answer everything?
Ok, it's past midnight... I just turned into a pumpkin! I'll catch up on the "miracle cure" tomorrow (I know, I know... no miracle cures except patience and more patience).
Night all!
~D~

 

[plum70rt]

Ok lets see now, filtered Tap water? is it phosphate free?
new lights ? did'nt you add a skimmer too?

 

[salth2o]

I was one of those with the problem a couple months ago. I transerfed all my corals to another tank. Then cut the lights off all together for 2 weeks. Increased my water movement. ***Purchased a RODI unit***, sucked as much slime off, added another cleanup crew **The Monster** from this site
All is well now

 

[plum70rt]

Salth2O, was the water the culprit? you have high phosphate levels?

 

[debbers]

Plum,
Yeah, I did add the skimmer (as listed in my signature below). I also used the phosphate "sponge" that we talked about a month or so ago, before I added any of my corals. That worked and brought the phosphates down. My levels are all good.
I haven't checked the water as-is before topping off, etc. I suppose that would be a start... but I really, REALLY can't afford a RO/DI unit (at least not now).
I'm going to get a water change going for later on today (the 50% one). My salt mix water hasn't been curing for a full 24 hrs - is that a HUGE no-no? Should I wait until tomorrow?
I just want to get the syphon in there to suck up some of that slimey gunk!!
I'm ready to wage war!!
~D~

 

[quazi]

Doing a water change may do no good at all if the make up water is full of phosphates.
I would not cut back on light. Light is not the problem, the water quality is the problem.
I would but an RO/DI on credit and then change the water. Most certainly that will be a big help.
Also, get some polyfilters and run them until the red algae is gone.
The cyanobacteria are present because of a nutrient imbalance in your system. They respond to this imbalance and grow. If the tank is treated and they are inhibited from growing, the imbalance still exists - and is getting worse (as more excess nutrient is building up) and it is likely affecting other organisms.
You should find a way to balance the nutrient inflow and export without treatments of the various chemicals.
Here is a helpful link
Here is another
Good luck. There used to be some "red algae removers" out there. They were basically antibiotics, but they worked. I cannot find any information on them any longer. Of course, they did not solve the basic water quality problem.

 

[plum70rt]

I agree ,its probably the water source , go to walmart or supermarket to get distilled water, to use, until you get an RO /DI unit,

 

[debbers]

Ok,
I bought supermarket water that is R/O. I'll use that for the water change.
Thanks for the help!
~D~

 

[brianf01]

I used a red slime algea remover when my tank was completly overrun. It worked fine, but after about a month, it comes back. I have reduced my feeding. I do weekly water changes, but it doesnt seem to help much. This outbreak is much smaller than the last though, so maybe its helping. My outbreak occured about a month after I transferd all my tank from a pentigon to a 50 gal long. I think it is just slowly balancing itself out. I'm just going to deal with it until it starts to cover my corals...

 

[debbers]

I actually looked to see if the LFS had any of that algae remover, but I didn't see any. Besides, I'd rather not add any chemicals if I don't need to.
We'll see how it goes with the R/O water 50% change.
~D~