res slime algae

[anamilasti]

ok so i think i figured out why i have red slime algae... its b/c in my sump/fuge i have a light growing my macro. this light is a common compact energy saving bulb from home depot.... i noticed the red algae growing on the macro so im 99% sure its the light buld.... what type of bulb shoudl i switch it with? and also once i change the bulb will th ered algae go away naturally or will i need to eventually treat my tank?

 

[hot883]

It is not the bulb that causes the red slime algea. It's to much nutrients in the water from feeding to much or the wrong things ie. brine shrimp.
To prove I am right on the bulb theory this is what I have done:
I keep a 20 long cycled in my basement with saltwater mollies in there. I do very little water changes and sometimes I do not remember to turn the lights off at night and sometimes on in the morning. I feed maybe 2 times a week. I have a small hob filter and some rubble in the tank. I am starting to develop red slime in there as I do not have a powerhead or very good circulation and the light is a cheapo from walmart that came with a 55 setup. I placed a clump of chaeto algea in there just for the pod population. It is now starting to get the red slime on it like yours too. Barry

 

[anamilasti]

i dont fully understand how u have proven that ts not the bulb.... ive only fed brine shrimp in my tank once... and it was about 1 week ago.. about the time of the algae.. but even before the red algae ive cut back on me feeding my 1/2...... and only feed high quality marin food..... could it still be nutrients?

 

[ejensen]

I not sure why you have red slime but when I had it, all it did is put a power head in and it went away.

 

[chipmaker]

Light source or type is not a bona fide source of causing red slime algae Its from lack of flow, or excessive nutrients....its a bacteria so its not dependant on light sources to propagate and spread.