Purple slime on live rock

[Ishmael]

Can anyone identify this purple slime on the live rock? Any advice how to get rid of it? Currently two clownfish and a couple of shrimp reside in the 30 gallon aquarium.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

wow, when is the last time you did maintenance on your tank? I would definately suggest a few water changes, and scrubbing of the rocks, and bring your parameters into control

 

[Ishmael]

wow, when is the last time you did maintenance on your tank? I would definately suggest a few water changes, and scrubbing of the rocks, and bring your parameters into control

Water change two weeks ago and the rocks were scrubbed clean. This stuff grows like crazy!

 

[Icryhard]

wow, when is the last time you did maintenance on your tank? I would definately suggest a few water changes, and scrubbing of the rocks, and bring your parameters into control

ngl the purple algae does look cool though.

 

[Ishmael]

ngl the purple algae does look cool though.

I thought that at first too but it grows soooo fast and takes over. It’s really hard to remove I have been picking and pulling it off. I want to use a brush but will I harm the live rock?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Can anyone identify this purple slime on the live rock? Any advice how to get rid of it? Currently two clownfish and a couple of shrimp reside in the 30 gallon aquarium.

Appears purple under your lighting but likely cyano bacteria or red slime bacteria. These blooms typically start when water nutrient concentrations of phosphate, nitrate and other organic compounds are too high.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Protein skimmer which fills water with tiny air bubbles. As bubbles form from the reaction chamber, dissolved organic compound molecules stick to them. Foam forms at the surface of the water and is then transferred to a collection cup, where it rests as skimmate. When the protein skimmer does not output the best efficiency or you do not have the suitable protein skimmer to cover the tank, the air bubbles created by the skimmer might be insufficient. And this insufficiency of air bubbles can trigger the cyano to thrive.
- Overstocking / overfeeding, your aquarium with nutrients is often the culprit of a cyano bloom
- Adding live rock that isn’t completely cured which acts like a breeding ground for red slime algae
- If you don’t change your water with enough frequency, you’ll soon have a brightly colored red slime algae bloom. Regular water changes dilute nutrients that feed cyanobacteria and keeps your tank clear
- Using a water source with nitrates or phosphates is like rolling out the welcome mat for cyano. Tap water is an example
- Inadequate water flow, or movement, is a leading cause of cyano blooms. Slow moving water combined with excess dissolved nutrients is a recipe for pervasive red slime algae development

I recommend to reduce white light intensity or even turn them off for 3-5 days. Add liquid bacteria daily for a week during the day at 1.5ml per 10 gallons. Add Hydrogen peroxide at night at 1ml per 10 gallons. Add a pouch of chemipure Elite which will balance phos and nitrate and keep them in check.

After the 5 days, add a few snails such as cerith, margarita, astrea and nassarius plus 6-8 blue leg hermits to take control.

 

[Ishmael]

Appears purple under your lighting but likely cyano bacteria or red slime bacteria. These blooms typically start when water nutrient concentrations of phosphate, nitrate and other organic compounds are too high.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Protein skimmer which fills water with tiny air bubbles. As bubbles form from the reaction chamber, dissolved organic compound molecules stick to them. Foam forms at the surface of the water and is then transferred to a collection cup, where it rests as skimmate. When the protein skimmer does not output the best efficiency or you do not have the suitable protein skimmer to cover the tank, the air bubbles created by the skimmer might be insufficient. And this insufficiency of air bubbles can trigger the cyano to thrive.
- Overstocking / overfeeding, your aquarium with nutrients is often the culprit of a cyano bloom
- Adding live rock that isn’t completely cured which acts like a breeding ground for red slime algae
- If you don’t change your water with enough frequency, you’ll soon have a brightly colored red slime algae bloom. Regular water changes dilute nutrients that feed cyanobacteria and keeps your tank clear
- Using a water source with nitrates or phosphates is like rolling out the welcome mat for cyano. Tap water is an example
- Inadequate water flow, or movement, is a leading cause of cyano blooms. Slow moving water combined with excess dissolved nutrients is a recipe for pervasive red slime algae development

I recommend to reduce white light intensity or even turn them off for 3-5 days. Add liquid bacteria daily for a week during the day at 1.5ml per 10 gallons. Add Hydrogen peroxide at night at 1ml per 10 gallons. Add a pouch of chemipure Elite which will balance phos and nitrate and keep them in check.

After the 5 days, add a few snails such as cerith, margarita, astrea and nassarius plus 6-8 blue leg hermits to take control.

Thank you the treatment regime advice is very helpful. I’m a little concerned because I do water changes every three weeks with water I obtain from an aquarium store I trust. I also pull the purple slime off the rocks getting as much off as possible but I was told I would damage them if I scrubbed them. I only have 2 clown fish and a couple of shrimp in an 30 gallon and feed every other day. The clowns are three years old and growing well. Do you think replacing the live rock, will help as I cannot seem to clear the purple stuff completely. The live rock in my tank is 6 years old.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thank you the treatment regime advice is very helpful. I’m a little concerned because I do water changes every three weeks with water I obtain from an aquarium store I trust. I also pull the purple slime off the rocks getting as much off as possible but I was told I would damage them if I scrubbed them. I only have 2 clown fish and a couple of shrimp in an 30 gallon and feed every other day. The clowns are three years old and growing well. Do you think replacing the live rock, will help as I cannot seem to clear the purple stuff completely. The live rock in my tank is 6 years old.

Not sure how you are cleaning rocks but siphoning or even sucking it up with a turkey baster is best. You have to turn off lighting which is a fuel source for this substance. You may have noticed, its lesser in the morning in some cases because lights are off during night.
In some cases, water purchased from LFS have been known to be an issue and I would bring it home and test its content for both nitrate and phosphate and see if it is elevated. LFS may not even be aware.

 

[rkearles]

Appears purple under your lighting but likely cyano bacteria or red slime bacteria. These blooms typically start when water nutrient concentrations of phosphate, nitrate and other organic compounds are too high.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Protein skimmer which fills water with tiny air bubbles. As bubbles form from the reaction chamber, dissolved organic compound molecules stick to them. Foam forms at the surface of the water and is then transferred to a collection cup, where it rests as skimmate. When the protein skimmer does not output the best efficiency or you do not have the suitable protein skimmer to cover the tank, the air bubbles created by the skimmer might be insufficient. And this insufficiency of air bubbles can trigger the cyano to thrive.
- Overstocking / overfeeding, your aquarium with nutrients is often the culprit of a cyano bloom
- Adding live rock that isn’t completely cured which acts like a breeding ground for red slime algae
- If you don’t change your water with enough frequency, you’ll soon have a brightly colored red slime algae bloom. Regular water changes dilute nutrients that feed cyanobacteria and keeps your tank clear
- Using a water source with nitrates or phosphates is like rolling out the welcome mat for cyano. Tap water is an example
- Inadequate water flow, or movement, is a leading cause of cyano blooms. Slow moving water combined with excess dissolved nutrients is a recipe for pervasive red slime algae development

I recommend to reduce white light intensity or even turn them off for 3-5 days. Add liquid bacteria daily for a week during the day at 1.5ml per 10 gallons. Add Hydrogen peroxide at night at 1ml per 10 gallons. Add a pouch of chemipure Elite which will balance phos and nitrate and keep them in check.

After the 5 days, add a few snails such as cerith, margarita, astrea and nassarius plus 6-8 blue leg hermits to take control.

Thanks for the info. I’m start your advice tonight. Wish me luck.

 

[rkearles]

Thanks for the info. I’m start your advice tonight. Wish me luck.

Took your advice. Woke up this morning and everything in my tank is dead. Shrimp, snails and about 2K worth of coral.