Red Algae

[Boca Kris]

I have some red algae in certain areas of my tank, and have been told several things. My parameters are all in check, and the flow is pretty good. My question is, are there any other tricks?

I am unable to have a sump due to the location of the tank, so I have no cheato or anything else. I was forced to use a HOB filter, that has been performing great since I started the tank, no nitrates at all. I was wondering if it would be worth trying to put some cheato into the top of the filter housing? I am using a Freedom Filter, with an activated charcoal bag, etc. There is some space in the top of the filter I might be able to put a little cheato or maybe something else to gobble up some nutrients maybe? I do a water change every 2-3 weeks.

Also, where the red algae is the worst, I see little bubbles that form when the lights are on, and get bigger until the lights go off. I have the Aquactinics 5xT5 unit above my 55g

Any other tricks I can try? I have only a few fish, and some inverts in basically a FOWLR tank (some frogspawn, rics, sun coral, zoo's etc) Is there anything that eats red algae?

ANy help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[Flipper62]

Sounds like Cyano Bacteria.......to me. Cyano bacteria is been said that it is the first sign of life on earth. It has been found in Billion year old fossils

If it looks like a red slime & gets the air bubbles under it......Most likely its Cyano Bacteria.

NOW....Its not so bad as you keep it under control....the best way is to keep a good water flow to the area where it is forming. The Cyano wont grow where there is good water flow.

You can also get rid of some of it during a water change.......Use a turkey baster to puff off the area, this will get the Cyano up & floating in the water. NOW..suck it up with your syphon & get it out of the tank.

Hope this helps....

There are also chems that can help, but I would try this first. I really dont like adding chems if I dont need to.

OH YA...I Also have some in my tanks..........& all the prams are fine......so you really cant go by that

 

[Avgou]

Try lowering your powerheads (the mount) and then angling them upwards at a 45 degree angle.

 

[Boca Kris]

Thanks! I will try changing the power heads. I had a problem when I tried that before, overnight the powerhead made a big hole in the sand and underminded one of the rocks. I've been told I don't have enough flow, but the flow I have seems more than adequate. I had to move my frogspawn to an area that was a little less turbulent because it wasnt opening all the way.
I have a Rio +1700 & a Koralia 600gph in my 55g tank. I've been told to get rid of the 600 and get 2 smaller units, giving me more flow, but not as violent a flow. Does that make sense to try?

Thanks again for the help!

 

[tspors]

You need to clear the bacteria also. Use a product called Red Slime Remover. Use it as directed + 1 extra dosing. Remember if you have a 72 gallon tank with rock consider your displacement of water when calculating the amount of RSR. It is safe. I used it and never had to change water flow or lights. You can't clean a bacteria out with flow and lights they only aid in the production of the bacteria. USe it is safe and problem wil be gone in a couple of days.

 

[Boca Kris]

I'll try that if nothing else works! I'm nervous to add chemicals. I saw they had it at my LFS.

Do you guys think I have enough flow for a 55g?