Help identify

steelermags · Aug 20, 2012

125 Gallon reef tank that I have had up and running for the past 7 months. I use RO/DO water and do a water change once a week. I use REEF CRYSTALS for water that I premix in my 55 gallon holding barrels. Recently I am getting a red film like substance on my sand and live rock. Any idea on what this is and where it is coming from?

Dave3112 · Aug 20, 2012

Cyanobacteria and it can come from a lot of different things. Being that your tank is so young it could just be part of it maturing. But if we had more info about your tank we could help you more. Things like lights, what kind? What's the light cycle? What are your inhabitants? What are your parameters? What are you using for flow? All that stuff will help you get a better answer.

steelermags · Aug 22, 2012

Thanks for the reply Dave3112! Here is some further information that may help. I have a "CURRENT" light with 12 T5 Bulbs -the light is on a timer that runs from 1:00 PM until 9:30 PM daily. I have LED lights that come on afterwards the run thru night (looks like a blue moon light in dark). Inhabitants- Powder blue tang, salfin tang, two clowns, 6 chromis, blenny, and clean up crew consisting of two cleaner strip. I have two anemones and several polyps. All parameters were good but I do not have the exacts right now. Should I treat cyanobacteria?

ritter6788 · Aug 22, 2012

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/saltwater-beginner-articles/94262-cyanobacteria-murfman.html

isnyc300 · Aug 22, 2012

There could be a number of things causing this. In my experience its from over feeding, old bulbs, not enough water movement and even old rodi filters.

Dave3112 · Aug 22, 2012

How much flow do you have? a lot of the time if your params are good then it has to do with flow. You could try increasing flow a little and see if that clears it up. If that doesn't help what I would do is turn out all of the lights for 2-3 days and that should clear it up. I did a total black out of my tank for 3 days one time and it helped out. I even covered the sides so no light from the room got in. Also what brand of bulbs are you running in the fixture? I have the same fixture and I run all ATI bulbs. The ones that come with it are not very high quality IMO and should be changed out.