Red Slimer Algae

[Markee]

Hey everyone. I have some algae in my tank, its like red slime and I don't want it in there. Does anyone know how to get rid of it? I have the chemicure stuff, I think thats what its called, but honestly, I'm afraid to use it because the directions tell you to turn everything off for like 2 days or something and that scares me. Thanks!

-Markee

 

[returnofsid]

Cyanobacteria is actually a bacteria, but most call it an algae.

Typically, manually siphoning it out, and increasing flow, to the effected area, will eliminate the problem. Cyanobacteria likes low flow, and usually accumulates in areas of low flow. Increasing or re-directing flow, will usually solve the issue.

 

[Markee]

Thanks Michael! Should I try the chemiclean stuff?

 

[returnofsid]

No, not yet. Using chemicals, to treat problems, is always a last result. Try taking care of it, naturally, instead. Chemicals are like a bandaide. They get rid of the problem, but not the source of the problem. Also, battling Cyanobacteria, via chemicals, will harm beneficial things in your tank. To kill Cyano, chemically, you'd use an Anti-bacterial medication, typically Erythromycin. Because it's an anti-bacterial medication, it'll kill beneficial bacteria, in our tanks.

 

[Markee]

Alright, thanks for the help! And by the way, I LOVE my new corals! They look so pretty in there!

 

[returnofsid]

Glad they're doing well!! With your light, keep them as high as possible. Also, be sure to keep your nitrates and phosphates down.

 

[Krish]

As Sid suggested, cyno is actually a bacteria that takes on an algae type appearance and it pretty much thrives off of the same stuff as algae does like DOC's, nitrates, phosphates (in essence excess nutrients). Limit them and you cut off it's food supply and also I've heard that increased flow to the affected areas help which I've experienced myself. Not sure if it was just a coincidence but it did work for me so worth a shot. Good luck,

 

[NWDiver]

Wow Krish, with the flow you ran I can't believe that ANYTHING not glued down would stick anywhere in your tank
Markee: Way to stay on top of things! As they said above, a little siphon work, change up the flow, and slow your feeding a bit. Should take care of it.
Nearly everyone gets red slime at some point.

-Todd

 

[Krish]

Wow Krish, with the flow you ran I can't believe that ANYTHING not glued down would stick anywhere in your tank
-Todd

Haha!! The only time I had it in the display tank was in my 90 gal when I knew nothing of flow and it was my first tank. Then things got crazy when I bought two Tunze's and went crazy ever since

 

[estanoche]

Also, be careful with blowing it around - if you blow it somewhere, it just grows there

So, getting rid of it is a 2 step process
1- suck every little bit out you can find
2- increase flow in the area it is growing so it doesnt grow back

 

[Krish]

Also, be careful with blowing it around - if you blow it somewhere, it just grows there

So, getting rid of it is a 2 step process
1- suck every little bit out you can find
2- increase flow in the area it is growing so it doesnt grow back

Great advice

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Markee]

Ok so I did a 5g water change and I sucked up as much as I could and then took the rock with the most on it and scrubbed it off in the syphoned water. Then I changed the flow towards where it was. Hope it stays GONE!

 

[returnofsid]

Markee, you're definitely on the right track!! I don't think I've read, but are you using RO/DI water?

 

[Markee]

Ummm, no.... What is that exactly....? Should I be?

 

[returnofsid]

A Reverse Osmosis/deionizer filter. It filters all the impurities out of tap water. Yes, you should be. It'll DRAMATICALLY help with nitrate and phosphate issues, along with all the other nasties that are in most tap waters. An RO/DI unit is, in my opinion, one of the most valuable pieces of equipment that any reef hobbyist can own.

 

[Markee]

Well can I put that on my biocube because everything is built in?

 

[Krish]

An ro/di unit won't be attached to your tank. It's a stand alone unit that just filters tap water for you and stores it in a holding container for whenever you need water for the tank. Each until will filter so many gallonsof water for you a day. I never bought an ro/di unit but rather just bought my ro/di water froma local water plant for like $4.50 for 5 gallons.

 

[Markee]

Thats a good idea Krish. Michael, can I buy just the water somewhere? Is there anywhere in Spokane?

Oh and by the way, I went to Barbie's today and she had me buy three snails (can't remember name) and a conk snail (butchered that) for the cyano. Hope it helps. I also got a little piece of pom pom xenia, pink candy cane coral, and a tailspot blenny (which he is soooooo adorable!)

 

[OldFishMan]

Spokane water is fine, I live in Coeur d'Alene. Just filter it through a carbon filter like a Britta. Slime algae is bacteria and will not harm your tank or anything else. It cleans your water --- clue --- watch amount of food used per feeding. Flow and a filter ---> sump what ever you use is fine if it is large enough --- adding a good filter for a few days works wonders with an increase in the skim. A big load of charcoal when you get the slime removed does help a lot --- lets not go there --- do it, or don't.

When I can't see my rocks through the glass, I clean my tank. I need more snails --- another grunge order too. My fish, corals, and anemone is about 2-years old now and if I keep the water too clean I can't keep an anemone. Experience finding a balance with marine life is worth its weight in gold.

OFM

 

[returnofsid]

SOMETIMES Spokane water is fine. Depending on the season, and agricultural activity, Spokane tap water can have huge nitrate and phosphate spikes. Then we have the city randomly "treating" the water system, which adds other nasties to the water supply. It's important to really know what's in your tap water, if you're going to use it. It's also important to test it, regularly, as levels of certain elements fluctuate, a lot. I'm not sure, but don't think Markee is actually on Spokane city water, but may be on a well. Here, it's also important to know exactly what's in your water, if you're going to use it, unfiltered. Also, on a well, elemental property of the water will fluctuate, according to the season and surrounding agricultural activity, which in Markee's area, could be significant.

Markee, yes you can buy RO/DI water, from Barbie or Kevin. However, in the long run, you'll be better off purchasing an RO/DI filtration unit. You'll always want RO/DI water on hand, for topping off, to replace evaporation, AND for making your saltwater.