red algae now?

[sinful]

starting to get red algae on the sand now...this is starting to become a pain...haha. I'm also getting alot of brown spots I assume is algae on the glass....very hard and wont easily rub off with a magfloat. Anyone suggest anything to get rid of this stuff? I'm using a bag of chem pure in my 2nd chamber. It might be the distilled water I've been topping off with huh? BLA

 

[playa0069u]

cyano on the sand SUCKS trust me I KNOW

 

[plyle02]

sinful,
I have read that distilled water sometimes contains phosphates, this is more than likely your issue. I have had some red-slime issues that are almost under control in my fuge. I would personally only use ro/di water. That way if you do test nitrates, or phosphates, then you can eliminate the water as the culprit. A good ro/di filter will only cost you about 120 bucks. I would test your water, that should tell you what's going on. Just my 2 cents....

 

[CMcNeil]

is it red algae or cyno?if its algae some cleanup crew will help,if its cyno......well gl to you.i had a cyno problem and did 5/10gallon water changes over a 2 week period.i also started running phosban and added flow to the tank.my cyno is gone now but it took about a month or so for it to disappear.

 

[sinful]

thanks for the input guys, we'll see how it turns out I guess. I'm definately not going to be buying a ro/di unit though, but thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Gimplar]

on most cases, there may not be enough mechanical filtration to handle the nitrate loads. Make sure you have adequate filter socks (and changing them out routinely), water changes, proper size protein skimmer, and your not over feeding. I have an RO/DI unit, i live by USF too if you want free water, just let me know. I've kinda noticed that using chemicals to treat other chemicals can potentially cause additional problems.

 

[sinful]

I haven't used any chemicals in the tank at all, only thing I have is the chem-pure bag. My tank is only a 14 biocube and holds at most 10g. Maybe I was feeding a little much for what I have in there. I only have 2 damsels and a cleaner shrimp, but they always seem starving..haha, I have been giving them a pinch of flake food a day. I'll try every other day I guess.

Water would be great man thanks, I will try to come across a 10g jug or something..that would last a long long time for just top offs.

 

[robthorn]

do you use instant ocean salt? lots of people using instant ocean are mysteriously popping up with red slime as of late. myself included

 

[playa0069u]

hmm me too

 

[robthorn]

I can't say that's the problem or any part of it but l just see it alot. actually I have seen it alot the whole 10 or so years I have been doing this. always tempted by nice tanks using instant ocean to go ahead and save some money by using it. not sure if it's worth it.

 

[sinful]

I buy my water premixed so I have no idea, I only have a 14cube so no point in making my own at this point

 

[robthorn]

I would say that is some of your problem. I know john has as good of water as you can get but he doesn't sell premixed so you didn't get it there. that is the only water I honestly trust that is not my own. no offense to the other stores but my reasoning is I have tested johns water myself and I know his maintenance routines. another bad name place around I have tested theirs also and it was like they were peeing in it . I have not tested fins or exotic or the warehouse so I can't say about theirs. they use the same water in there displays so look closely at them.

NEVER BUY PREMIXED