Pink slimy algae

shanelyn · Jan 31, 2016

Hi, I'm fairly new to the hobby had my tank up and running for about 13 months, upgraded from a small one - to 200 litres. I run an integrated filter, a protein skimmer built into the tank (a Juwel) with 2 wave makers. I keep getting pink slimy stringy alate and don't know why. My tank is a corner one, not sure if this would make any difference. I'm getting so fed up with cleaning off all the time. I have 2 clowns which I've had for well over a year and are doing great, 2 blue chromis, 2 cleaner shrimps and various hermit crabs and snails.
Water parameters are ok - please help someone.
Thanks

twilliard · Jan 31, 2016

A picture will help ID this so we can recommend proper actions

shanelyn · Jan 31, 2016

Picture - hope it helps!!

twilliard · Jan 31, 2016

Cyanobacteria is what I am seeing.
Also green hair algae

Nutrient control is in order

melypr1985 · Jan 31, 2016

Agreed. I see mainly the cyano. Manual removal and nutrient control. What are the exact numbers from your tests?

shanelyn · Jan 31, 2016

I usually test in the week in my day off, can't remember off the top of my head what they were. I'll post results on my next test before my weekly water change. Thanks for replies.

Bunnee911 · Jan 31, 2016

I use an app called Aquarimate. I can't remember parameters either.

Saltine · Feb 1, 2016

Whats your maintenance regiment? Looks like a tank that doesn't get many water changes if any imo.

Salt

ShaneTweedz · Feb 1, 2016

Use a toothbrush to loosen it and siphon it out. Do you use RODI water?

shanelyn · Feb 2, 2016

I endeavour to do a weekly water change but depending on work it occasionally goes 10 - 14 days , I change 10% each time.
My figures today are pH 7.8
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 10ppm.

Is there another solution to lowering nitrate than water changes as its a 30 mile trip for me to get salted RO water.

shanelyn · Feb 2, 2016

To be honest at present I am very close on giving up the hobby - I don't have the time to commit anymore to it!

ShaneTweedz · Feb 2, 2016

You could buy a RO unit and make it at your house. You should also raise the PH as that helps with algae growth.

justaDutchguy · Feb 2, 2016

Do you have any corals? With nitrates at 10 and no corals to consume them i'd say you are feeding the cyano quite a bit with those nitrate levels. Also test for phosphate. If you are not overfeeding much i would also consider the source of your salted RO water.
But i'm no expert, curious what those have to say;-) good luck!

shanelyn · Feb 2, 2016

justaDutchguy said:
Do you have any corals? With nitrates at 10 and no corals to consume them i'd say you are feeding the cyano quite a bit with those nitrate levels. Also test for phosphate. If you are not overfeeding much i would also consider the source of your salted RO water.
But i'm no expert, curious what those have to say;-) good luck!

Hi, I have no corals, the 2 clowns I have and the 2 blue chromis are more than happy. I feed every day - perhaps I should only feed every other day??
I get my water from a reputable local aquarium shop, I'll have to invest in a phosphate test kit too. Tanks for your input.

justaDutchguy · Feb 2, 2016

Dont feed less often, just more often a smaller amount. Still, with 4 fish pooping and no corals to absorb, you are going to either keep up with water changes or, the more fun way, get some corals;-) that doesn't mean you dont have to do water changes but with the right balance of fish and corals, you can achieve a faily stable po3 and no4 levels.

justaDutchguy · Feb 2, 2016

Fish's stomache need small amounts of food more freqently, so try to feed less then you did till now but devided over 2-3 times a day.

shanelyn · Feb 2, 2016

My issue is that I leave for work at 6.30am and its dark, normally feed at tea time - what would anyone suggest for feeding times please?

Also I can't believe how quick this stuff can flaming grow - took some out earlier and its back already!! Does water flow have any impact on it?

justaDutchguy · Feb 2, 2016

I'd at least try to feed two times a day and less all together.

Flow will not cut it back, extreme flow might make it more difficult ro grow but you'll blow your sand around;-)

If you plan to only keep fish in there, you could consider syphoning the sand out and go barebottom, that would make it mich easier to syphon out any detritus. That way your nitrates will go down and so does the food for algae become less abundant.