weird algae id please

saltn00b

Active Member
Hi People
I have my QT tank set up for about a month and a half now. about 2 weeks ago i had to do a water change, that resulted in me being forced to use tap water. the expected Diatomic growth came and went i figured that was it. but then 3 days ago this stuff started appearing on the substrate. Now its pretty much covered the entire bottom, and is now growing on the glass too (circled). the only thing i have in there is 1 small damsel, who seems to be doing ok. the stuff is like a dark garnet / purple and is feathery and soft looking in texture. i was going to drop a snail or two in there and see if they eat it , but i dont know if thats the greatest idea.
:help:




 

mudplayerx

Active Member
Looks like cyanobacteria too me (harmless). What are your nitrites and nitrates? How about phosphates?
I'd seriously consider switching out that gravel stuff and replacing it with aragonite sand. The sand is les likely to permit such growths, will have beneficial worms/microfauna, and acts as a buffer for your system while adding beneficial trace elements.
 

snipe

Active Member
If this is a QT tank then you need to remove substrate period it will only cause problems for the fish to be in there for only 3 weeks.
 

cprdnick

Active Member
In the reef forum there is a thread by JustinX on how to erradicate this problem and it will better help you understand what you're dealing with. It's called "How to rid your tank of Red Slime" or something like that. I'll bump it for ya but it may not stay there for long.
I wouldn't worry to much about the fish looking down at the bottom, remove the rocks, they won't help out with a QT.
 

vicodin

Member
use Erythromycin. You should be able to get it at your LFS. It will not leave any traces or hurt coral, fish, or inverts. This realy old guy whose been in the hobby a long time gave me some when an outbreak became uncontrolable. It worked in two days!! Try it and you won't be let down. Promise.
 
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