I have a 22gal and no matter what I have done I can't get rid of the red algea. All the numbers are good. I have been noticing that most people do not like the bio balls. Is it possible that they are my problem? I have a drip type filter with a sponge, bio balls and white filter media. Can I remove all of the stuff in the filter and just run the skimmer? I have about 13 lbs of live rock in the tank. Help Please!!!
red algea
- Thread starter daisybud
- Start date
sir_dudeguy
Active member
the bioballs will only cause nitrates...the bioballs themselves arent the cause of the algae (and is it red slime? or is it just a red coraline?) But the nitrates they produce often...those do cause cyano. But if you havent got any of those...how bout phosphates? Whats your flow?
jmac4978
New member
I would say that you would need more LR if you were to get rid of your filter media. At least 22lbs total. How many nitrates are we talking about here? If it is in fact cyano, your nitrate reading will be scewed since cyano feed on trates. Cyano hates flow, so you could point a powerhead in its direction and it should clean it up a bit. Be aware, when cyano dies, it gives off ammonia, so you may get a spike.
A day after I do a water change 10% I have again about 10 nitrates. It is cyano and I have had it for about 3 weeks. I bought another pump and shot it on the sand bed, at the water change I suck up as much of it as I can but by the next week it is back with a vengence. I have no ammonia and I no phosphates. I have even checked the salt water that I add to the tank and it has no phospates. Sorry I was misleading with the numbers the first time I posted the other numbers have been consistently good. Just the rise in the nitrates.
