tiny bubbles everywhere & red slime starting

[newtoreefs]

I have an 80 gallon tank that I started at the beginning of October. I went through the various cycling and thought I had reached a steady state. I have fish, live rock, live sand and a variety of corals. Last week I added some corals, all of which are happy. Shortly after I noticed red slime starting in my sand. I've backed the lights off a half hour, reduced the food added with my automatic feeder, I added carbon to my system, I changed filters every 2 days but it's still there. And I've noticed that tiny bubbles are appearing all over my rock. I'm hoping the slime isn't about to spread. ANy advice on what to do?

 

[ronj]

start doing big water changes.. it is a nutrient problem..the carbon will help out alot as well.. keep running it...are you feeding any frozen foods???? do you have any filter pads or bioballs in the tank???

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

And unless you absolutely need it, I wouldn't use the automatic feeder. My guess is that's where your nutrient issue is coming from. When I feed, I don't just dump in food but put a little in and let them eat. Then put a little more in and wait. I pretty much just repeat until they slow down. There's very little food left over after I'm done. Also, you say you've backed off the lights 30 minutes... how long are they set to stay on now?

 

[newtoreefs]

One of the corals I bought was a sunburst coral that requires frozen shrimp at night. So to make it happy in the system, I've been feeding the coral shrimp at night. Not a huge amount but enough to make sure each tube got something. The shrimp in the tank seemed to take up what spilled over - they stand right next to it waiting.

Are the bubbles indicative of an impending bloom on the rock?

 

[newtoreefs]

I have one super actinic VHO 110 W light on for 11 hours, one super actinic VHO 110 W on for 10 hours, and two metal halides (each 250 W) on for 8.5 hours. Originally I had the Metal Halide on for 9 hours.

I am rarely home which is the reason for the automatic feeder. I spent a bunch of time testing how much it puts out and I watch on the weekend to make sure everything is eaten. And the fish do indeed eat everything quickly.

 

[dailydriven911]

The cyano will spread unless you do something about it. One of the best things is to increase your flow in the tank. I'd say at least 30x turnover and do a few 25% water changes over the next week or two. Add carbon and reduce feedings like the others mentioned.

Good luck!

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

When you're doing those water changes, siphon out as much of the cyano as you can. It won't cure the problem, but it'll help. Without getting your excess nutrient levels down, you're going to fight it. And yeah... a lot of bubbles on the rock usually means some type of algae is active.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

What is your tank water flow?Suck it up, but increase flow.

Edit: Haw Haw, Haw, Jayson beat me to it!

 

[ronj]

stop with the shrimp feedings or cut them back to once a week at most.. they are loaded with phosphates...the algae will continue until the nutrients stop feeding it

 

[newtoreefs]

Thanks, guys. I replaced one of my powerheads and modified how I do the shrimp feedings (I can't cut back with the sunburst coral since it doesn't get any nutrients from light). I also upped my skimmer so it's running wet. I'm continuing the carbon. And I moved the automatic feeder so the food is less likely to settle in a corner. The bubbles are fewer and the red has become reduced. I may be on the road to success. I'll do a big water change this weekend. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[LakeEd]

Try to remember, "nothing GOOD happens in the reef world quickly"!!!

This also goes for clearing up problems, like your nutrient/red slime problem. Try as you will, this won't clear up in a couple days, or even a week. You WILL notice improvement that soon, but the problem will still be something you need to watch and continue working on for a few weeks. In your case, getting the source of the excess nutrients under control as well as correct water movement in your system is going to take time. Thats okay! Doing water changes is our biggest helper...especially in situations like what you find yourself currently in. Keep those up, and work on your other two issues...and your tank will reward you!!!

 

[darklcd]

sounds like a battel with cyano is starting. I had the same thing in my 55 gal from over feeding and not enough water changes. there are chemicals that you can get but thats a last resort as far as I am concerend. it might take a while but less feeding (no autofeeder) water changes and thats about all that i had to do to get rid of it. Depending on your type of lighting can effect things not just the time they are on but the type. And water flow was a big big thing for me I only has a power head, my fluval and my skimmer it wasn't enough and I added a few more power heads and it went away.

hope this helps

 

[pepperjack]

Adding a koralia #3 pump worked great for me

 

[OldFishMan]

Hello;

Cyano bacteria is feeding on something on the surface of your rock. I use a bottle brush to go over my rock lightly and remove as much as I can when a breakout occurs. And the breakout usually occurs when a change is made to my tank, usually lights, or load and food. I also use a turkey baster to blow off my rocks --- the large ones seem to collect the most as they have the most snail waste on them and my water flow is not high and turbulent. I use antibiotic IODINE --- I start with 15-drops and reduce to 6-drops the next day for about a week. Use this with caution --- it will kill bacteria (good and bad) --- I have enough filter area to not make a noticeable difference. Iodine is converted fairly quickly in the tank to non toxic forms (Iodide and Iodate) and Carbon removes it quickly. (Lugols solution contains Iodine)

Water flow helps as previously stated, as it keeps the waste from accumulating. I am not in the general consensus with large water changes ---- but many find them highly effective (maybe this is due to a good cleaning at the time of water change). My experiences may be due to the fact I have much more filter area to trap and process waste than tanks with live rock alone.

I have over the years found it most effective to increase the number of snails and hermits with a high load tank and large feedings as the snails and hermits are always on the move cleaning.

The safe bet would be cleaning, water changes, and increased flow.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Put a drop on a slide and look at it with a microscope, if the stuff is moving everything is okay. If is is not moving, change water!"

Enjoy!

OFM