Slime algae?

TheEngineer · Jan 6, 2018

Not sure what this gunk is in my holding tank. It keeps coming back even after peroxide dipping. It quickly fills the tank. It is thick and slimy. Ideas?

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 6, 2018

I’m going with a chrytophytes.

@reeferfoxx

reeferfoxx · Jan 6, 2018

saltyfilmfolks said:
I’m going with a chrytophytes.

@reeferfoxx

Yeah that is what it looks like.

There is a easy way of eradication but if the OP is interested, I want to try a less invasive approach? Results may vary.

TheEngineer · Jan 6, 2018

reeferfoxx said:
Yeah that is what it looks like.

There is a easy way of eradication but if the OP is interested, I want to try a less invasive approach? Results may vary.

Well you’ve got my interest

It’s a 5g tank so I can easily drain it.

Blue Spot Octopus · Jan 6, 2018

Does it grow on the glass and in the vinyl tubing? Is clear and like snot?

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 6, 2018

reeferfoxx said:
Yeah that is what it looks like.

There is a easy way of eradication but if the OP is interested, I want to try a less invasive approach? Results may vary.

TheEngineer said:
Well you’ve got my interest

It’s a 5g tank so I can easily drain it.

There are mystery issues in two tanks now.

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 6, 2018

Idoc · Jan 6, 2018

Following... suspecting i have this in my coral qt right now. Do you have any pics without the blue lights, though?

reeferfoxx · Jan 6, 2018

TheEngineer said:
Well you’ve got my interest

It’s a 5g tank so I can easily drain it.

Do you have any other tanks and does it grow at all in the others?

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 6, 2018

reeferfoxx said:
Do you have any other tanks and does it grow at all in the others?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/50g-cube-build.210308/page-10#post-4343777

reeferfoxx · Jan 7, 2018

Not sure how to approach. The algae infestations are strong between tanks. One looks similar to chrysophytes, the other looks like lyngbya unless it has some green pigment?

Anyway, most sure fire approach to chrysophytes is manual removal with tooth brush and filtered through a canister filter, floss, or sock. Then 3 day full black out with 24 hours of GFO on the first of 3 days then a 25% water change. The results are zero chrysos but red slime cyano.

So, I want to try it without the GFO. Now, this depends on the water source. Chrysos are silica based and can get there food source from silicates. The more mulm-ish it looks(like yours) might mean more oils in the water from foods. However, that doesnt really change things. So, this time, since the tank is small and the inhabitants don't look that happy either I think a 75-100% water change after manual cleaning and a 3 day total black out. The difficulty with this water change though is matching parameters and if possible, nutrients.

TheEngineer · Jan 7, 2018

reeferfoxx said:
Do you have any other tanks and does it grow at all in the others?

I have a 50g that these all came from. I haven’t seen this algae in there though.

reeferfoxx said:
Not sure how to approach. The algae infestations are strong between tanks. One looks similar to chrysophytes, the other looks like lyngbya unless it has some green pigment?

Anyway, most sure fire approach to chrysophytes is manual removal with tooth brush and filtered through a canister filter, floss, or sock. Then 3 day full black out with 24 hours of GFO on the first of 3 days then a 25% water change. The results are zero chrysos but red slime cyano.

So, I want to try it without the GFO. Now, this depends on the water source. Chrysos are silica based and can get there food source from silicates. The more mulm-ish it looks(like yours) might mean more oils in the water from foods. However, that doesnt really change things. So, this time, since the tank is small and the inhabitants don't look that happy either I think a 75-100% water change after manual cleaning and a 3 day total black out. The difficulty with this water change though is matching parameters and if possible, nutrients.

This tank only gets dosed with nitrates and it only has coral in it (and one snail). I don’t have GFO but I do have a reactor. Currently using it for carbon on the 50g.

reeferfoxx · Jan 7, 2018

reeferfoxx said:
So, I want to try it without the GFO. Now, this depends on the water source. Chrysos are silica based and can get there food source from silicates. The more mulm-ish it looks(like yours) might mean more oils in the water from foods. However, that doesnt really change things. So, this time, since the tank is small and the inhabitants don't look that happy either I think a 75-100% water change after manual cleaning and a 3 day total black out. The difficulty with this water change though is matching parameters and if possible, nutrients.

TheEngineer · Jan 7, 2018

Water changes are easy enough. I did a 100% water change Friday. I’ll start lights out today. I’m on a well and I don’t recall silicates in my last water test. I’ll double check.

TheEngineer · Jan 11, 2018

Just finished the 3 day black out and did a 95% water change. I see some of the stuff has grown more in a few places. I'll get a picture once everything settles down from the water change.