Red Algae Help

[cbay4duke]

I am starting to get more and more red algae. I tried to scrub it off but it is very hard. I don't know what to do. I am not sure which algae this is and don't want to dump chemicals in my tank and possible kill my coral. I have mostly softies. Here is a picture and some advice would be appreciated.

 

[lauremf2002]

test your water for phosphates and nitrates. Excessive amounts of either of these will result in algae bloom. Also, old bulbs, or your tank getting too hot will make algae grow. Get some more cuc to help with the clean up (hermits, emerald crabs and astrea snails will eat algae). If you do have phosphates, I find that Seachem's PhosGaurd in a filter sock dropped in whatever filter you have works well. Better yet still is a phosban reactor but this can cost $$. Water changes will reduce nitrates and some macro algae that is not invasive like chaeto will help with this also. You might look into a good bristle tooth tang as well, as they will clean your live rock.

 

[bobkill]

And your sure It isnt Caroline algea? Looks like red slime algea (cyano) - use this site to id it http://www.reefcleaners.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=81
If it is re slime you can get 'medicine' for it at all the lfs- just make sure you follow the directions and point your power heads up to get more air into the tank -

 

[jkhudson]

If it is red slime you can gently brush it off the rocks and scoop it up in a net. Lauren is right, the best way is to reduce your nitrates and phosphates and incrase the oxygen in your tank. There are chemicals that will get rid of red slime but watch out. When the slime algae dies it can poison your tank. Be ready to do multiple water changes after it starts dying. Follow the directions exactly. If it's like a red "turf" on your rocks, Mexican turbos will munch on it. The only bad thing about them is they will knock over loose corals. I'll be happy to loan you mine if you want them. Just let me know.

 

[pwhitby]

How old is your tank?

the reason I ask is because there is an "algal" cycle that your tank will mature through. In general - in a newly established tank- over a 6mo period you will see a transition from a green fuzzy algae, to a brown fuzzy algae, to a red and sometimes dark (almost black) algae. Each of these is using a nutrient produced by the one before.

If you can, let it run its course. If its ugly, use a powerhead to blast it from the rocks, or use a little toothbrush. The mroe you remove, the longer it will persist. Once the nutrients it is using are gone it will clear up.

Now--- if your tank is not so new, its due to low water flow in a certain area. Try and move a powerhead to better flow over that spot.

Keep us informed,

Paul.

 

[cbay4duke]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I have had my tank up for about 8months now and I bought it from a guy who have it a couple years before that. The red algae doesn't peel off in fact I can barely scrub it off and when I do I can still see it in the cracks. I think I am going to change out my Phosoban and get some snails to eat it. What about some crabs too? Which crabs are the best algae eaters?

 

[RDHDDRAGON]

If it doesn't peel off, then its not slimy? If not is it rough and wiry or is it puffy like cotton candy?

 

[cbay4duke]

It is rough and forming a mat on my live rock.

 

[RDHDDRAGON]

Normally I would agree and say wait out the algae. But if this is the red algae i think it is, it will only get worse.

IF it is growing that crazy through your whole tank testing the phosphates might not give you a true result. I would still test it since the phosphates can cause this, but if the red algae is eating it you will get a lower than actual reading. Do you use tap water? IF so that might be where the phosphates are coming from.

I would try to get real Turbo snails. Mexican turbo snails. When i had this algae and did research it seemed to be the only animal that really ate it. They are bull dozers so if your corals aren't attatched be ready to move and/or pick them up constantly.


I don't recommend chemicals...Some people have had luck with them, when I tried it , my tank crashed.

Good luck!

 

[cbay4duke]

Thanks for the help the mexican turbos are doing an amazing job. I am glad I didn't dump a bunchof chemicals in my tank and kill everything. I also changed out my GFO so hopefully that will help.