red coloured algae

nikhil · Aug 18, 2015

Hello,

I have a lot of red coloured algae covering the crushed coral floor of my aquarium. It looks like thick red hair all over the aqiarium. Some strands of it cling to the filter, and some rocks and it does not look too nice.

My filter inlet is covered to make it anamone proof, so I am not sure if I clean the algae, the filter will be able to filter it out.

Can I put some algae eaters? What would eat this algae ? Is it safe to just keep it? Its a deep red colour.

Thanks,
nikhil.

TankRazr · Aug 18, 2015

A photo of the algae would be helpful if you could post one?

Also try to think in terms of identifying what aspect of your husbandry is allowing the algae to thrive. Is it over feeding perhaps or not utilizing an adequate nutrient export routine? You could add some algae grazers of various sorts in to the tank, but there is an underlying issue here which most likely needs to be addressed.

TR

Oscaror · Aug 18, 2015

red slime algae. I never had it so I never looked into how to get rid of it, maybe [HASHTAG]#reefsquad[/HASHTAG] can provide some insight?

jonbar1 · Aug 18, 2015

If its coarse it could be Gelidium which not much eats. If its brittle it could be Asparagopsis which Turbo snails devour. There are many more so try to get a pic.

Z06-Hec · Aug 18, 2015

What about this? ....
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Life-Sli...8&qid=1439895040&sr=8-1&keywords=red+slime+rx
I use their Phosphate RX, works great.

TheEngineer · Aug 18, 2015

If it is red slime, then increased flow helps quite a bit.

Humblefish · Aug 18, 2015

How old is your tank? Cyanobacteria in a newly established tank is not that big of a deal, but if it persists then that could be a problem. There are so many factors that can fuel cyano growth:

Low flow
Elevated nutrients (high nitrates/phosphates)
Not using 0 TDS RODI water
Old light bulbs

nikhil · Aug 18, 2015

Here is a pic

nikhil · Aug 18, 2015

The yellow tang also seems a little pale ... Any thoughts ?

nikhil · Aug 18, 2015

Water tests did not indicate any issues

Z06-Hec · Aug 18, 2015

The tang looks fine to me. I have 2 yellow tangs, one is more pale while one is super yellow.
That is def red slime, what I posted should help.

nikhil · Aug 18, 2015

I am in India, and I dont see that product for amazon.in . They dont ship to India from amazon.com either. Any other alternatives I could get on amazon.in ?

Z06-Hec · Aug 18, 2015

Well the old fashion way works, just slower. Water changes, and you can leave the lights off for a day or 2. I dont see any coral in the tank so you can maybe do longer if you like.
Also there are plenty of sand sifters out there that help with these issues as they arise. I have a golden head goby that is AMAZING at moving the sand and cleaning it...

TomatoSauceTy · Aug 18, 2015

Humblefish said:
How old is your tank? Cyanobacteria in a newly established tank is not that big of a deal, but if it persists then that could be a problem. There are so many factors that can fuel cyano growth:

Low flow

Elevated nutrients (high nitrates/phosphates)

Not using 0 TDS RODI water

Old light bulbs

^Nikhil concentrate on this. Can you get a product called chemiclean red slime remover?

nikhil · Aug 18, 2015

I will look for it unfortunately there don't seem to be online aquarium shops in India like there Are in the us

I could just disturb the sand and clean it manually myself but because the filter inlet had been made anemone proof I am unsure the algae will be filtered out

So let me check about this product

Do any snails eat this ? Or starfish ?

Thanks a ton for all your replies

nikhil · Aug 18, 2015

I have a bubble tipped anemone with a clown in it so I don't want to keep the lights off

Humblefish · Aug 19, 2015

nikhil said:
Do any snails eat this ? Or starfish ?

IME; no. At least not consistently. You have to remove it manually (it siphons out pretty easily). Going lights out for 3 days will not harm your anemone or corals. They will all bounce back. Just tell them a big storm is passing overhead.

nikhil · Aug 19, 2015

I see, so as in i just reach in and remove it with my hands, right ? Or is there some vacuum cleaner kind of thing I can get ?

Humblefish · Aug 19, 2015

nikhil said:
I see, so as in i just reach in and remove it with my hands, right ? Or is there some vacuum cleaner kind of thing I can get ?

Best to siphon it out with clear flexible vinyl tubing. Like this: http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewi...ntent=FT1319&gclid=CJ27rI2qtMcCFdgVgQodEyoPRw

nikhil · Aug 19, 2015

thanks. Am I supposed to do water changes for the marine aquarium? Would it involve adding more salt ? I never change my water, just top up as it evaporates.. I figured if i remove 1/4th water, and then just top up using regular filter water, my salinity would decrease .. right ?