Rogue red slime algae

[SaltySquid]

Ok I have all of the signs off a good stable tank; coraline growing great, nitrates, ites, and ammonia at or near zero, ph and temp stable, calcium...etc. The two exceptions are my phosphates tend to loiter around .1 - .15 and I have red slime algae growing sparsely along the bottom of my glass in the sand.

I'm sure they are linked to each other, but it is strange because the algae stays in the same area and doesn't seem to be spreading, with the exception if being inside on of my fishes hiddey holes. Is it possible the algae is growing on the bottom of my UNDER the sand as well? Also is there anything I should be doing that I may be missing, to deal with either or both of these.

And I already know about the Tang he's in the process of looking for a new home.

 

[Big G]

Are you stirring your sand with a turkey baster or one of these?

 

[SaltySquid]

I usually vacuum the sand bed every other week. Lately I have been stirring up the sand bed as well for each water change which I wasn't really doing too much before, but will make that a routine part of my water changes.

I thought my Nesarius snail, Tiger Conch, and Diamond goby would have taken care of stiring up my sand bed though.

 

[Big G]

Looks like your CUC is doing a pretty good job already. Just depends on how pristine you want your sand to look in your tank.
I blast my sand every couple of days or so. Turn up the powerheads and let them run until everything settles. Of course your mileage (needs) may vary. Hope this helps. Cheers!

 

[SaltySquid]

Big G, that helps, thanks. I just didn't know if the red algae on the glass was something to be concerned with or not. That picture doesn't show it as well as I expected but it's good to know it's not a huge issue.

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

Ok I have all of the signs off a good stable tank; coraline growing great, nitrates, ites, and ammonia at or near zero, ph and temp stable, calcium...etc. The two exceptions are my phosphates tend to loiter around .1 - .15 and I have red slime algae growing sparsely along the bottom of my glass in the sand.

I'm sure they are linked to each other, but it is strange because the algae stays in the same area and doesn't seem to be spreading, with the exception if being inside on of my fishes hiddey holes. Is it possible the algae is growing on the bottom of my UNDER the sand as well? Also is there anything I should be doing that I may be missing, to deal with either or both of these.

And I already know about the Tang he's in the process of looking for a new home.

That’s an awesome scape

 

[reeferfoxx]

Tank looks great! Does it get any indirect sunlight in the area?

As for your po4 problem, I think adding more coral will solve that. Corals do a great job at nutrient uptake.

 

[VR28man]

I’m sorry, I can’t help you with the algae. But I do like the ‘scape. How did you build that wall on the left?

 

[SaltySquid]

That’s an awesome scape

Thanks, I appreciate it. I keep finding myself having to make minor adjustments though because the 2 power heads at the top of this tank make it difficult to adequately control the flow in this tank. I definitely am NOT a fan of this tank's design.

 

[SaltySquid]

I’m sorry, I can’t help you with the algae. But I do like the ‘scape. How did you build that wall on the left?

The wall on the "left" of the picture at the top is actually the back wall of the tank. It's a few pounds of rock my LFS cut and installed for me. I believe they just used epoxy to adhere it to the black plexi-glass on the back of the tank. Luckily I got it for free on this tank but he was going to charge me $300 on a different tank.

 

[SaltySquid]

Tank looks great! Does it get any indirect sunlight in the area?

As for your po4 problem, I think adding more coral will solve that. Corals do a great job at nutrient uptake.

It does get a little sunlight, but I don't have issues with other algaes, only growth is this stuff on the edge of the sandbed.
.....And I would LOVE to get more corals, but I cant find a home for anything else in this tank that won't cause everything to start fighting I am currently looking for some Dragon's Breath / tongue to help with this though.