Help! Red slime algae killed my star polyps!

[silver619]

I'm a newb to reefkeeping, and this is my first big catastophe. :-(

I started noticing this slimey coating on the bases of the polyps, not realizing that it was bad. By the time I could research and found out what was happening, it was too late. I used a turkey baster to blast the algae off, but I think the polyps are all dead. Some of them look like they are peeling off the rock. :-( Anyone think they might bounce back?

My current problems:

-Will the polyps come back?

-This red algae that appeared and is trying to take over- how do I get rid of it?

-Also, my anemone has been doing weird things that I think are probably related to the tank conditions/water quality- it swells it's foot up so it looks like a ballon and tips over onto its face. Then it will fold completely in on itself.

Current params:

Ammonia- 0
Nitrites- 0
Nitrates- 5.0- 10
PH- 8.0
phosphate- .25- 0

Sorry I don't have an alk test.

Any advice on how to right my tank and get rid of the algae?

Some pics- sorry they aren't very clear:
The polyps:

My anemone:

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.


Laura

 

[crazy4salt]

What Lighting do you have? Your Anemone looks severly bleached.....
Do you feed it at all?

As far as the Cyno, try to get rid of the Phosphate and Nitrate, if you are using Tap water, that could be the source. Keep blowing it off the polyps, and try to suck it out. They don't look dead, just irritated.

I think a water change would help alot too.

 

[mfh_anderson]

after my algea outbreak it took a little over a week for my star polyps to come back out and they have now in full force.

what kind of light do you have?

 

[silver619]

The lights are PC's- I was worried about getting the anemone, but the LFS had this guy under PCs and it was doing fine.
It's eaten about 3 times since I got it- I've had it about 3 weeks or so. That's the color it was when I brought it home.

If I can get a better pic, would someone be able to ID him? My husband is the one that bought it, and he can't remember what type it is. -_- I can't tell if it's a long tentacle, bubble tip, or a sebae? Maybe it's none of those, but those are the closest types I've seen that look like this guy.

That's good news about the polyps- I'll keep my fingers crossed!

 

[barron]

Not hard to identify with a decent pic.

What is your water flow rate and from what sourses?

 

[crazy4salt]

From the pic I really can't tell what kind, but try feeding it small pieces of meaty food every 2-3 days. It should color up for you if you can get it to eat. Also what wattage of pc are you running?