Red algae around rock basis

[john]

My problem is red algae around the base of rocks corals and clam that sit on the sand I only see it when the halides come on its not their with the vho thought maybe phosphates so I got a test kit today, tested water from tank at the top and at the sand where algae is present found no detectible phosphates I tested all the other parameters no nitrates no nitrites no ammonia Ph 8.0 to 8.3 depending on time of day, alky 4.0, dkh 11.2, calcium 440, magnesium 1500, what do I need to do to get rid of it? I have already tryed vacuuming at water changes but it returns same places next day

 

[DonW]

These may just be the low flow areas of your tank. Try adjusting flow to these areas.

Don

 

[mojoreef]

Hey John, flow is a good one to get on thier as Don mentioned. Another thing could be the lights themself, are the bulbs getting old??? and what kind of test kit ar you running for P.


MIke

 

[john]

I used a brand new seachem test kit for P all my other kits are Salifert, I did redirect two of the power heads today but I thought that their was a pretty good flow in this area (picture attached) because of the movement on this gps

 

[ahenson]

Do you use ro/di water? That caused my cyano outbreak. I added refugium and ro/di and that has helped a ton. Check Ca & alk to encourage corraline. My $.02
Andy

 

[john]

Have always used ro/di water the ca & alk are ok if not to high the tank runs through a 50gal refugium with a euroreef 8-2 skimmer miracle mud and chaeto and bioballs this is not a sudden outbreak it has been doing this for several months without spreading any further I have enough corraline growth that I could get rich if it could be sold

 

[Angelscrx]

Have you recently changed foods? How often do you feed? Sounds like low flow areas to me too and remember GSPs will move in the slightest current. We are not saying that these are areas of no current just that there isn't enough current to keep cyano from accumulating or establishing itself there.

 

[NaH2O]

John - maybe it is just the picture, but it appears that the GSPs are hindering the flow to the left where the cyano is growing. You can see they are waving in that direction and the cyano is growing right under them - like they are blocking the flow directly underneath.

 

[john]

Thanks for all the suggestions I may try placing the affected items on small stands to increase the flow under and around any ideas on what to use for the stands?

 

[Oscapus]

I constantly fight a "red algae" that is not cyano, more a wimpy hair type. It seems to be strongly associated with my red Gracilaria macroalgae, perhaps even some form of it's growth. If you are talking a fuzzy type, instead of slimy, I don't have an answer but share your pain. I love the look of healthy red Gracilaria, but find myself throwing out a lot of it to rid myself of the associated hair form. My snails, lettuce nubibranchs, and other janitors seem to ignore it. Luckily, the macro form grows like crazy and I can "afford" to throw a lot of it out that has the hair form stuck to it.