wild algae

signman

Member
ok i have 2 tanks that are out of control one is my 125 with red fuzzy algae all over it. water test fine a little low on salt 1.020, the tank hase 396watts of pc over it. I also have a 210 with a green/blue algae all over it cleaned it off and it comes right back. water test good on it to. Water is ro and both with auto topoff. All fish are doing great.

 

small triggers

Active Member
the water will test fine for the fact that all the phos is being used by the algaes.... what you need to look at is how old are your bulbs? are you overfeeding? when was this tank set up?, what are you running for filtration and water movement??
 

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
The bottom one is almost certainly cyanobacteria. Fairly easy to fight....do some searches on the website for cyanobacteria and cyano outbreaks, and you'll find some good suggestions as to cause/eradication. The top pic....well, we'll need some further info. Red and fuzzy, you say? is it hard to pull off of the rocks? From the picture I'd guess you might be having an outbreak of red turf algae. If you are, GOOD LUCK. I've been fighting this stuff in my tank for 6 months now. I reduced my feeding, have new bulbs in my fixtures, perform weekly filter and biweekly water changes, and run phosguard and purigen in my filter. This stuff is evil. It can thrive on very low phosphate and nitrate levels. I bought a foxface that has been thankfully been keeping the algae mown down to short strands, so it doesn't look too bad. The Purigen and Phosgard have been helping also, but I think I'm going to have to get a GFO reactor to eliminate the phosphates and starve it out.
If you suspect you have red turf algae, my advice to you is to nip it in the bud before it spreads. SOME mexican turbo snails will eat it. If you have any in your tank, pick them up and put them right on the algae patch. If your bioload and tank size can support it, get a foxface or a heave grazer like a small tang. Look at getting a phosban reactor or something similar. Look for ways to cut back on phosphates entering the tank. Don't trust LFS RODI water completely. I tested mine a couple weeks ago and determined it was part of the cause for my phosphates...their membranes must be old. And above all.....good luck!!
 
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