Red Caked on Algae?

[jmorgret]

What is this stuff? It's like dark red and convers a few of my rocks. When I blow it with the turkey baster, it comes off in clumps. Is this an algae? Is it normal?

 

[dood68]

either cyano or red hair algea. how new is the tank?

 

[jmorgret]

Tank is about a year running....When blown hard with the baster, it sort of breaks off like an eggshell if that makes sense and underneath is clean rock. Is there anything that eats this stuff or is it harmful in anyway?

 

[BadOleRoss]

I had this stuff covering every inch on my sand and all of my LR, this was in a 220 with 200lbs of LR. The way I got rid of it was by using Maracyn for freshwater. Just add 1 crushed up tablet for every 10 gallons of tank water and it will clear in 2-3 days. You do need to figure out what is causing it. I understand it is usually a high phosphate condition tha causes it but I am not real sure on that part. I do know tha mine is 100% gone!

 

[EMWri0502]

we did the same here in our 30 gallon but we had a red emperor snapper in it causing the problem cause it kept coming back once our snapper passed may he rest in peace the algae went away with one more application of the stuff.

 

[billr]

Where can you buy this Maracyn stuff???????

 

[splateee]

Maracyn can be found at your LFS. It is where they keep the medications. It is used for freshwater fish to treat fungus. You can also use Chemi clean or Red Slime remover. I am having a big problem right now with our 90 gallon, the stuff is actually starting to cover the corals. I blame it on myself beacause i slacked off on the water changes for a month.

 

[jmorgret]

I saw both fresh water and salt water Maracyn, does it matter which is used?

 

[JimmyS]

I have had to deal with this a few times in all 3 of my tanks not too long after setting them up. I agree that you need to figure out what is causing the problem, but I have always had good luck increasing the flow, making sure the pH was in check and doing routine water changes.