Red Slime Algae

[stephenns]

Got a 12 Gallon nano cube with a bad Red Slime Algae problem. I have tried Maracyn-Two but it does does not work. It starts to take it away, but then it comes back stronger. What do i do.

 

[Amphiprion]

You used maracyn two? It kills nitrifying bacteria. Most folks use erythromycin, to which nitrifiers are resistant. personally, I don't recommend using antibiotics. Try increasing flow, coupled with extra water changes and detritus siphoning and maybe some phosphate sponge. I would even recommend Chemiclean and similar products before antibiotics.

 

[reefwick]

Chemi-clean solve the problem in my 12 dx. You've got to try all the other ways first though to improve your husbandry so it doesn't come back. Reduce feedings, siphon SB and slime off, increase flow, increase WC's, skim, run carbon, etc... Once it gets to a certain point you will never get rid of it unless you do use a product like chemi-clean.

 

[OnTheReef]

Red slime is usually cyanobacteria, which have two major sources of food, nitrates and phosphates. This is further complicated by the ability of many cyanobacteria to fix nitrogen gas into nitrates. You need to get both of these nutrient sources to zero. As reefwick points out, there are many ways to export nutrients: more frequent water changes, protein skimming, live refugium and I would recommend using all of them. You should also run Phosban for awhile and you might consider feeding less food more frequently, at least while you get this problem under control.

 

[Fignewton]

Siphon out what you can and increase your flow where it occurs. Add some carbon filtration if you can.