black slime on my zoas?

Supreme Reefs · Dec 1, 2008

I have been getting this thin black slime on some of my zoas i tried just taking the slime off by hand or whatever i can use and it grows back. Some of the slime seems to be stuck on the zoas itself like its tattooed on there. The slime appears right under the skirts on the outside of the zoa and doesnt seem to appear anywhere else on it. Anyone else has this problem or knows how to get rid of it?

ecotoxlady · Dec 1, 2008

Do you have any pictures? That might help

Kris Zmurk · Dec 1, 2008

tagging along with this one. I'm having the same problem.

cbau45 · Dec 1, 2008

Is it accumulating anywhere else in your tank or just on your zoas? Sounds like the start of cyano to me but pics and more info would be helpful to be sure.

Supreme Reefs · Dec 1, 2008

ecotoxlady said:
Do you have any pictures? That might help

I dont have a camera but i am going to borrow one so hopefully by maybe weds or so ill get the pics up

Supreme Reefs · Dec 1, 2008

cbau45 said:
Is it accumulating anywhere else in your tank or just on your zoas? Sounds like the start of cyano to me but pics and more info would be helpful to be sure.

Well i have this one corner with a lot of my zoas but i first saw it on my cats eye paly then im guessing it went onto my toxic shock palys. All the zoas around them dont have it.

Supreme Reefs · Dec 1, 2008

Kris Zmurk said:
tagging along with this one. I'm having the same problem.

Would you happen to have pics of yours while we wait for mine?

flricordia · Dec 2, 2008

Maybe try directing a powerhead toward them and leaving it on there for a while. If it clears you probably need a bit more flow over them sounds like.
Check your alk also and make sure it is within range.

softiegirl · Dec 2, 2008

are the polyps opening still or staying closed? It does sound like cyano tho. If that's the case, i took a baby's toothbrush and lightly removed the film. Otherwise they wont make it!

Kris Zmurk · Dec 2, 2008

My zoos are still closed even after lightly cleaning the algea off of them. They are not melting away, just stretched and closed. I've checked all the params and nothing is out of wack. I'll try to get a pick tonight.

softiegirl · Dec 2, 2008

give them a couple days. Keep them cleaned off, and shift your pumps til you get the water flowing over them well. If you dont have any cyano on the sand it might just be a flow issue.

Kris Zmurk · Dec 2, 2008

I've got it on the sand too. I plan on doing a huge water change this weekend and will siphon out as much as I can. The local reefers seem to think my tank recycled after the power outage in late September.

cbau45 · Dec 2, 2008

That's quite possible. Keep in mind, however, that cyano is not limited to flow, lighting, or nutrient build up. Sometimes adjusting one of those works, some times it doesn't. Water changes will help though, IME.

I noticed that you said your zoas were stretched, try giving them a bit more light. They should shorten up for you. Good luck.:nerd:

flricordia · Dec 2, 2008

Kris Zmurk said:
I've got it on the sand too. I plan on doing a huge water change this weekend and will siphon out as much as I can. The local reefers seem to think my tank recycled after the power outage in late September.

Did you by chance start using kalkwasser or a calcium additive within the last couple months?

sleeper · Dec 2, 2008

I know most people don't like chemicals in their tank but I had a bad cyano problem and added some phos media to my filter and dosed chemi-clean. Gone in 3 days. never seen a spec since. That was 2 months ago. My .02

Supreme Reefs · Dec 2, 2008

flricordia said:
Maybe try directing a powerhead toward them and leaving it on there for a while. If it clears you probably need a bit more flow over them sounds like.
Check your alk also and make sure it is within range.

i have never checked for alk what are the ranges i am supposed to be in?