So what is it?

rooroo

rooroo

Member
Okay I have posted about red slime because that is what I was told I had, finally got a pic and posted and someone said it was diatoms. So what is it and how do I get rid of it. This tank is about a year old. I will test water today. Please help. I have a skimmer on with a 250gph powerhead and my Bio-wheel filter that I believe is rated for 75 gal. The lights are brand new Coralife 2-65W, and I just changed my top to a glass top. Oh and it is a 45 gal tank. I have about 70 nassarius snails a cleaner clam, 4 peppermint shrimp, a clown, a exquiste wrasse, a cherub angel, 3 bar gobies and 3 anemones.

 
kanicky

kanicky

Member
+1
The diatoms probably appeared because of your new lighting.
To get the diatoms off your glass, you can get a MagFloat or scrape it off with an algae scraper.
Curious, though... you say you've had your tank set up for a year? Did you experience an algae (diatom) bloom when you first set it up?
Usually a reduced light schedule helps to make diatom algae go away faster. Once it goes away, you can slowly up your lighting schedule to normal.
Good luck
 
perfectdark

perfectdark

Active Member
Diatoms or silicates but as mentioned a change in lighting can cause a diatom bloom. Hermits and astria snails will help, esp on your glass, astria snails are fantastic film algea eaters.
 
rooroo

rooroo

Member
There was never an algea bloom when I first set it up and it cycle for over a month. I did drop my lights for 11hrs to about 8hrs. My lights just came on a little bit ago and it does seem to look a little better. I have been scraping it off for the last couple of weeks and my skimmer seems to be picking it up better now. So hopefully I will be rid of it soon. Thanks so much!!
 
scopus tang

scopus tang

Active Member
What type of water are you using to top off your tank? Most tap water has silica in it, which will cause a diatom bloom every time. Recommend using RO water only for water changes. Otherwise sounds like a lighting issue - additional snails will help some.
 
rooroo

rooroo

Member
Okay, so now not only do I have this disgusting film on my glass and on the sand but now I am breaking out with hair algea also. I have cleaned it, changed water and it immediatly comes back. My tank is getting so gross that I am about to throw the tank out the door, except I like everything in my tank to well. Do anyone have any suggestions? My other tank is beautiful and I don't do anything different with this one. My levels are as follows:
Nitrite- 0.3
PH- 8.0
KH- 9
Nitrate- 50
Ammonia 0-0.25 (in between)
SG 1.24
Thanks in advance!!
 
rooroo

rooroo

Member
No everything is fine. Haven't had anything die in a long time. That's why I am beating my head against the wall!!!
 
slomo

slomo

Member
The ph is a little low also, 8.2-8.4 is ideal, also salinity 1.25/1.26. Do a few water changes.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
You are picking up nutrient from somewhere. Overfeeding? Something unaccounted for that may have died? Filters sponges etc. cleaned out lately? Something is causing the ammonia and high nitrate reading.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top