Red algae
- Thread starter dcopeland
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Not sure if you're just asking what this is or what to do about it? It is cyano algae and most of us have had it at one time or another. It's typically caused by increased nutrients in the water. Would need to hear more about your system and parameters or specific questions you have.
Thanks
Thanks
Man of few words I see...lol. What is your current NO3 and PO4 readings? If they are high, you want to start by bringing them down. Once you get them to acceptable levels, you can continue to suction the algae patches out of your tank and do weekly water changes to keep your nutrients low. I would feed a bit less and try the above steps. Once you post your parameters, we can help a bit more.
Did you have any fish / turbo snails die in the tank recently? That can spike your nutrients quickly and cause a cyano outbreak quickly. Is it on your rock or just the sand?
Did you have any fish / turbo snails die in the tank recently? That can spike your nutrients quickly and cause a cyano outbreak quickly. Is it on your rock or just the sand?
+1 for all but the feeding. i feed the crap out of my tank but i have the equipment to clean it all up. i have a monster hurricone cat1 skimmer, and 2 TLF reactors with GFO, and carbon. i like seeing my fish fat and happy.
i think the skimmer is the backbone of your entire system and should not be skimped on...IMHO
forgot to mention. sometimes when you test for Nitrates or phosphates, you may not detect much because the outbreak is consuming them as they generate.
Red Slime remover works well as long as you follow instructions. I heard its harsh on clams if you have any, cant recall where I read that.
Red Slime remover works well as long as you follow instructions. I heard its harsh on clams if you have any, cant recall where I read that.
mike_dani
Well-Known Member
I will go lights out for 36 hours then allow my lights to come on as normal and at "midday light" add the red slime remover. I only add 75% of the recommended dose but I don't want to have a mass die off and release all of the N and P back into the tank at once. Make sure you turn off your skimmer when you add the remover.
This is what has worked for me.
This is what has worked for me.
yes turn off the skimmer...it will go nuts!! i have found by turning off the lights it is only a temp solution. when they go back to the normal cycle the bacteria will come back. you have to figure out the underlying problem to completely resolve your red slime issue...IMHO
use the product but DO EXACTLY WHAT THE DIRECTIONS SAY! water changes, porduct amounts, everything to a "T" and you will be fine. i have used this in my 90 gallon mixed reef with clams and have not had a problem. also look for any dead spots in the tank water there is no or very low flow because that is what usually is the culprit.
just make sure when you add the red slime product you turn your skimmer off. it will bubble up and overflow your collection cup fast! after you do all the water changes and the product is out, you can turn it back on. should only have to be off for a couple/few days.
I like to avoid using the chemiclean if I can....its a general antibiotic and it worries me that its killing other helpful bacteria. It does do a number on the cyano though, usually clears up in 2-3 treatments, always less than a week IME. It doesn't address root causes however which I like to go at first as mentioned above. Flow, water conditions and mechanical removal would be the three pronged attack. If that didnt work then I'd say go for the chemiclean as you are probably dealing with something that has become self sustaining even with return to optimal conditions. The cyano blob 
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