red slime

[trouble93]

Just about two month ago I had a red slime problem I took my whole tank down changed out the crushed coral and replaced it with 50lbs live sand. about a week ago I added a 8w UV unit but in the last two days or so i'm starting to see little pockets of the slime coming back also i'm finding hermit crab legs all over the tank and i found my arrow crab dead this afternoon. Water test checks out fine nirates alittle high about 5ppg. Cal is about 420 PH 8.2 0 nirites 0 amonia I run a fluval 305 canister and a magaflow3 sump. And I do about a 15% water change weekly. My fish are fine and all my corals are doing well also (accept one toadstool that has been closed for about 4 days now). I feed a few flakes in the morning and two times a week i make a mix that feeds the whole tank. After i do my water changes I add Kent essential elements, I'm trying to give a whole picture of my setup. I do have a diatom filter but I don't want to stir my sand bed. Any feed back will help...Thank-you.

 

[gparr]

How many and what type of fish? How big is your tank? What shape is your tank. It's harder to remove nutrients from tall tanks than short/wide tanks.

What kind of flow do you have? Red slime usually results from excess nutrients and flow that is allowing those nutrients to accumulate instead of keeping the organics in the water column for removal. That canister is a red flag for me because those things are typically not cleaned often enough. Effective tools if you change the media regularly, otherwise they can become nutrient sinks. I assume you're using quality carbon. Are you using phosphate remover? Do you have a skimmer? Do you clean the cup/throat weekly?

As for the dead hermits and arrow crab, that's likely another issue. Not sure what to tell you until you can list your tank inhabitants

Gary

 

[trouble93]

How many and what type of fish? How big is your tank? What shape is your tank. It's harder to remove nutrients from tall tanks than short/wide tanks.

What kind of flow do you have? Red slime usually results from excess nutirents and flow that is allowing those nutrients to accumulate instead of keeping the organics in the water column for removal. That canister is a red flag for me because those things are typically not cleaned often enough. Effective tools if you change the media regularly, otherwise they can become nutrient sinks. I assume you're using quality carbon. Are you using phosphate remover? Do you have a skimmer? Do you clean the cup/throat weekly?

As for the dead hermits and arrow crab, that's likely another issue. Not sure what to tell you until you can list your tank inhabitants


My Fish: pajama cardinal, blue hippo tang ,Columbian Black Tip Shark ,Cinnamon clown, scooter & lawnmower bleny, engineer gobyMy Corals: xenia,colts,6 types mushrooms,cabbage leather,zoos More corals Palythoa,GreenStar Polyps Pocillapora,candy caneMy Equipment:75gal. Fluval 305 canister, magaflow 3 sump 4 powerheads,(aqua clear 70,50,30, & maxi jet 1200) skimmer(PS150) 368w of lights T5's

 

[Wild1]

Did I just read you have a black tip shark in a 75 gal.tank? Im just a noob so it might be a completely different fish . Pic & info please Thanx Johnnie

 

[Kris Zmurk]

I think the Columbian black tip shark is actuall a freshwater shark that can handle saltwater, just like black mollies. Like I said, I think. They only get about 6 inches in freshwater setup, they look more like a fancy catfish.

 

[gparr]

If I understand your listings, it seems that you have a decent amount of flow. I would start by turning the lights off for three days. Usually that stops most cyanobacteria infestations. But you have to couple that with making sure your skimmer is working at peak efficiency and you're using fresh carbon. Also use a powerhead or turkey baster to blow any crud off of your rocks. It's very common for an accumulation of whatever to collect on the rocks and become a nutrient source. Also, continue with your water changes. And I'm assuming you are using RO/DI water?
Gary

 

[Wild1]

Thanx for the info Kris....Johnnie

 

[trouble93]

If I understand your listings, it seems that you have a decent amount of flow. I would start by turning the lights off for three days. Usually that stops most cyanobacteria infestations. But you have to couple that with making sure your skimmer is working at peak efficiency and you're using fresh carbon. Also use a powerhead or turkey baster to blow any crud off of your rocks. It's very common for an accumulation of whatever to collect on the rocks and become a nutrient source. Also, continue with your water changes. And I'm assuming you are using RO/DI water?
Gary

the lights have been off for two days now and yes i use ro water...did use a baster to blow some of the junk off

 

[trouble93]

Shark

Did I just read you have a black tip shark in a 75 gal.tank? Im just a noob so it might be a completely different fish . Pic & info please Thanx Johnnie

The black tip is a brackish water catfish that with slow Acclimation can take to saltwater.

 

[Wild1]

93; Thanx for the pic & info....Johnnie

 

[AussieExoticCorals]

sounds like cyanobacteria,
solutions:
1) 20% water change
2) increase water flow