I 'm having trouble getting red slimy algae, (at least I think it's algae) completely under control. I have done water changes, cleaned sand, tried new product ( algae fix) but still have some of this stuff around. It clings to some of my corals and seems to suffocate them. If you have any suggestions I would appreciate it. Thanks
Help please
- Thread starter aguaman
- Start date
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
if your talking about cyanobacteria than better lighting and more flow seems to get rid of it.
MRICKEN1012
Member
+1 on the more flow....I have had the same problem before and this cleared it right up.
Dave & Monica
New member
+2 for more flow and if that doesn't help in a week or two, new bulbs for your lighting. What kind of lights do you have? Also, keep up the bi-weekly water changes as it sounds like your system is new.
gh0st
New member
I would be careful with any type of Carbon Dosing (Vodka, etc) to get rid of Cyanobacteria.
I've seen Carbon dosing cause Slime Outbreaks, and sometimes it makes things worse since the Slime is a type of bacteria, the Carbon just feeds the slime.
More flow (especially where the slime is growing most) and new bulbs if needed, get the Phosphates and Nitrates down, make sure temp, Salinity, PH, and Alk are all at optimal levels. Low PH and High temp can really contribute to Cyano blooms.
I've seen Carbon dosing cause Slime Outbreaks, and sometimes it makes things worse since the Slime is a type of bacteria, the Carbon just feeds the slime.
More flow (especially where the slime is growing most) and new bulbs if needed, get the Phosphates and Nitrates down, make sure temp, Salinity, PH, and Alk are all at optimal levels. Low PH and High temp can really contribute to Cyano blooms.
spleify
Premium Member
Cyanobacteria is not an algae so unfortunately your the AlgaeFix won't help, it will probably help with other types of algaes though. Cyanobacteria is a bacteria, and I agree with ghost, and have seen many have growth spurts of Cyano, while using a carbon source. So I would avoid that.
Cyano in most cases is a result of high nutrients. How much of what kind of food are you feeding? How often are your water changes, and how big are they? How much flow do you have in the tank now?
A few good things that I have seen to help eliviate Cyanobacteria is;
More frequent larger water changes, 20-25% weekly.
Increased flow, add a couple of power heads Modded Maxi-Jets work great and are very inexpensive.
Decrease feedings, or types of food. Never underestimate the amount of phospahtes that are in most standard flake foods. Try cutting back to once everyother day, depending on what types of fish you have.
How big is the tank? How old is it? Inhabitants? Do you have a refugium? Are you running filter socks? Do you run Granular Activated Carbom(GFO) or Granular Ferrick Oxide(GFO)?
Good luck, and I hope this helps.
Spleify
Cyano in most cases is a result of high nutrients. How much of what kind of food are you feeding? How often are your water changes, and how big are they? How much flow do you have in the tank now?
A few good things that I have seen to help eliviate Cyanobacteria is;
More frequent larger water changes, 20-25% weekly.
Increased flow, add a couple of power heads Modded Maxi-Jets work great and are very inexpensive.
Decrease feedings, or types of food. Never underestimate the amount of phospahtes that are in most standard flake foods. Try cutting back to once everyother day, depending on what types of fish you have.
How big is the tank? How old is it? Inhabitants? Do you have a refugium? Are you running filter socks? Do you run Granular Activated Carbom(GFO) or Granular Ferrick Oxide(GFO)?
Good luck, and I hope this helps.
Spleify
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
Yep, I found out from experience that too much carbon dosing will promote cyano.
murfman
New member
http://www.soutassaltwater.com/product.php?productid=16265&cat=258&page=1
These guys are said to feed on cyano.
These guys are said to feed on cyano.
