Newish with questions!

[Dannie Carpenter]

Ok so I have a 215 gallon reef tank. It's started from a 100 gallon established tank of 5 years. The 215 gallon tank has been setup for about 6 months now.
I used all the water and live rock from the 100 gallon.
I used all new live sand when I started the new tank. I also got a few new lights with the new tank, keisel lights.
I have a bad red alge all over the live sand. I have done chemiclean twice now followed by a 20 gallon water change two days in a row. ( so 40 total gallons ) it has had zero effect on the red alge. I also moved all 4 of my power heads lower and more of a circle water movement. It lighten it up but came right back. I have been feeding very light and turned the kesiel lights to all the way white. I have my lights on 8 hrs a day with the blue night light only on for 1 hr.
I did a water check and everything was in perfect levels. Took my water to the local fish store and they said it was amazing. They suggested the second chemiclean but didn't help. All my corals and fish are doing amazing, I even have my banggai cardinals carrying eggs right now.

Anyone have some ideas?

 

[jsker]

Welcome to R2R
If the chemclean did not knock it out it might be a different type algae. You are going to still have some mini cycling going on as the larger system matures.
I used red slime remover and waited a week before doing a water change, with one treatment. I also ran an air stone for 48hour during the treatment.

 

[sbash]

Are you cleaning your sand bed and changing your water regularly?

jsker makes a good point, it does take time for the system to mature. My 220 is a year and a half and is still not as balanced as my other tanks have been in half the time...

 

[saltyphish]

Welcome to R2R
If the chemclean did not knock it out it might be a different type algae. You are going to still have some mini cycling going on as the larger system matures.
I used red slime remover and waited a week before doing a water change, with one treatment. I also ran an air stone for 48hour during the treatment.

Try another type of cyano remover such as the red slime remover mentioned above. My umderstanding is there are different strains. Might also do a blackout for 3 days with the treatment. Wrap the tank with blankets or towels to keep outside light out of tank then leave tank lights off as well.

 

[Dannie Carpenter]

Every water change I have been using a gravel vac to remove as much as I can out, I do a 20 gallon water change once a week. The area I can't get to with the vac I stir up to help remove the red alge. I have thought about doing a black out but wondered how bad it would be on all my corals?

 

[Dannie Carpenter]

Idea of tank

 

[saltyphish]

My corals always came out ok. Zoas and lps only with nems

 

[sbash]

Every water change I have been using a gravel vac to remove as much as I can out, I do a 20 gallon water change once a week. The area I can't get to with the vac I stir up to help remove the red alge. I have thought about doing a black out but wondered how bad it would be on all my corals?

The corals should be fine for a few days without light. You would want to keep a flashlight handy to make sure you do not have any serious recession. Growth might be stunted for a short period, but it will be fine.

 

[Dannie Carpenter]

I don't run a chiller. Do you run into any heat issues with it all covered in blankets?

 

[jsker]

What are your nutrient levels? Phosphates and nitrates?

 

[Dannie Carpenter]

Nitrates 0
Phosphates I didn't check and I don't believe the fish store did.
I started the black out tonight. I just did a 20 gallon water change last night and again today. So I'll see what happens.... I a little stressed lol

 

[Dancingmad]

After the black out / reduced lighting period I would follow up by hitting the rocks with a turkey baster to blow the dead bacteria/algae away, and maybe clean the gravel with a siphon. Pinch the hose a little bit to give you control as to not suck up your sand in the process. Pull all the dead algae/bacteria out before contributing to another bloom! I like to run a filter sock for a couple hours after a water change to capture any bonus particulates I kick around in the cleaning.

Best of luck! Welcome to R2R, people here rock!