Chemiclean & Sps

[Reef Happy]

Needing some advise from some of you SPS reef keepers.
I apparently had some red slime come in on some live rock I added to my sps tank. I was wondering if it is possible to add Chemiclean to a sps tank. Will it affect the corals? I have heard chemiclean should not be added with sps. Just was wondering if anyone has added it and if it was succesful. If it should not be used with sps then what can be done to remove red slime. It is not bad now but is just beginning.
Thanks,

 

[Prater]

I had a plating montipora when I added the chemiclean and it did not affect it.

 

[2ras]

I've used it with no ill effects. I also have SPS, LPS, & softies.

 

[jjmcat]

I lost a purple valida when I used it.

 

[mskohl]

If it's just a small amount, I would try and syphon it out. If you are low on nutrients and have good flow, then it should go ahead and die back. I would just syphon with a turkey baster or syringe a few times to see if you can kick it. Use chemi-clean as a last resort.

 

[Reef Happy]

I have several small spots on the sand bed that are getting the red stuff on it. I have syphoned it out. I hope it stay out but my experience on this is that it returns. I dont want to loose any sps by adding the chemi-clean, but that may have to be next.
Thanks for the advise.

 

[Reef Happy]

I have had no luck in removing the red slime by syphoning it out or removing by hand. It continues to come back and is getting worse on the sand bed and now is collecting on the rock. I have never had this much problem before. I have alot of water flow in my tank and all of my levels are good.
I have heard both sides. So the question is does chemiclean really effect sps or not? Some say they have lost corals and others say they have not. Why do some lose corals and others do not when using chemiclean? I am going to have to do something. Any suggestions anyone?

 

[captbunzo]

I would guess that Chemi-Clean does not directly effect SPS corals. However, for those with bad experiences, I'd guess that maybe secondary effects of using chemi-clean may have caused issues that led to death of SPS.

 

[pwhitby]

Doug,

how old is your tank? Red algae is part of a natural algae progression and is common in tanks 6-10 months old. So long as it is not blanketing corals let it be, and it will die back. If you siphon it all out you will have a long term battle. I had it with my 600 lasted about 4 weeks. I know many other who have the same as the tank matures.

So long as your corals are OK, its ok. Sure its unsightly, but there is a nutrient in the tank that is fueling its growth. As the nutrient is ude it will stop growing and another algae will apperar in its place and so on...each one getting less and less.

I much prefer a natural approach to these issues. Cut back on feeding and improve water flow, but thats all.

Paul.

 

[djc1026]

I also had it last about 4 weeks in the 6-10 month time frame. I did like Paul, siphoned off any that encroached on corals, and dealt with the unsightlyness. It died out and hasn't come back.

Dave

 

[Reef Happy]

The 156 gallon tank has been set up about 4 months. The live sand and rock came from another tank that had been set up for 1 1/2 years. I also added the 100 lbs of the live rock from the group buy. It has been growing now for a few months and just getting worse. As I said I have good water flow. So I take it that you don't prefer the chemiclean.

 

[pwhitby]

im not a fan on masking a problem.

Let it grow, keep your corals clean. It will disappear one day almost overnight.

You should have seen my 600. Red slime then green mats then clean rocks.

as a LAST resort, use chemiclean, but it will probably come back.

Those are my experiences, take or leave, your choice....but, dont try a mixture of options, go with a plan and stick to it.

P.

 

[TimV]

It will come back, no question. If it isn't part of a natural cycle, it is an indicator of the health of an established tank. If your tank has been up a long time (which yours hasn't) and you get the slime, you've got something wrong with your water chemistry.

T

 

[captbunzo]

Huge big ditto on what pwhitby says. The 4 month timeframe here is a BIG sign that this is just normal algae cycle stuff.

 

[Reef Happy]

Thanks to you all.