NEW TO SALTWATER/ Red Slime Algae

[markyc123]

Hey guys!! I’m relatively new to saltwater. My tank has been running pretty smooth for the first 3 months. 2 weeks ago I went to feed my fish and noticed a red slime algae outbreak. I went to the LFS store and they chemiclean. I followed the instructions and seemed to be a lot better. It was almost gone completely until i had another outbreak even worse. Was wondering what you guys would recommend i do? Better Treatments? What Causes this? Am i doing something wrong? Open for any tips and suggestions thank you guys so much!

My Tank and Parameters
13.5 Fluval Evo
PH- 8.2
Ammonia- 0
Nirtite- .25 ppm (FIRST TIME NOT AT 0 KINDA FREAKED OUT)
Nitrate- 10 ppm
Cal- 480 ppm
KH- 179 ppm
Phosphate- 0
Specific Gravity- 1.024

 

[lafarrow]

You may find help here:

losing the battle to red slime HELP!

Howdy... I'm losing the battle to red slime and what seems to be red hair slime I've done two doses of chemiclean with zero luck. I keep my nitrates and phosphates elevated to avoid dinos. I've lost loads of high end zoantnids due to smothering algae ! Someone help ! Any suggestions at all

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Jekyl]

I would keep my parameters in order. Clean what I could during water changes. Maybe beef up the CuC. Chemicals should be last resort. Embrace the ugly phase.

 

[Jekyl]

My tank is coming up on 2 years and just had some cyano due to a nutrient swing. It has been going away on its own.

 

[dvgyfresh]

What Jekyl said, resorting to chemicals fixes the problem temporarily while the main root of the issue could still be present( not enough flow, not enough CuC, ect)

 

[markyc123]

I would keep my parameters in order. Clean what I could during water changes. Maybe beef up the CuC. Chemicals should be last resort. Embrace the ugly phase.

Are my parameters out of order to be causing this?

 

[markyc123]

So this isn’t a HUGE deal? just keep an eye on it frequent water changes like usual and try to clean what i can

 

[Jekyl]

Phosphate at 0? Api test?
Otherwise I wouldn't worry about it. Tanks go through ugly phases for the first year or so. Just clean what you can by hand during water changes

 

[dvgyfresh]

Are my parameters out of order to be causing this?

A 0 phosphate reading usually brings on Dino’s or cyano , additionally you could not have enough flow

 

[markyc123]

Phosphate at 0? Api test?
Otherwise I wouldn't worry about it. Tanks go through ugly phases for the first year or so. Just clean what you can by hand during water changes

yes API. Do you recommend another brand?

 

[Jekyl]

yes API. Do you recommend another brand?

Salifert

 

[dvgyfresh]

yes API. Do you recommend another brand?

Hanna Phosphate is super accurate and easy to test