red slime in refugium

[higgz]

I set up a bigger refugium for my 110 tall. I put some live sand in there from my old fuge, live rock and calurpa. I have some red like slime growing on my rock and sand bottom. Is it just cycling? What is going on Is this normal?

 

[parothead22]

Hey this is normal to some extent! It is inevitable that you are going to have some form of microalgae growth and cyanobacteria as well(red slime)l
Check your water parameters, dissolved CO2 and DO(dissolved Oxygen). Cut down on feedng as well to lower nitrates and phosphates!.

 

[dragonforce]

I find that cyano actually grows on top of or around areas with ditritus.

 

[higgz]

Would you keep your refugium lights on 24/7 or should I just leave on about ten hours a day

 

[parothead22]

refugium lights should be on a reverse daylight pattern! This is where your refugium lights come on after your main light over your tank go off! This helps to lessen the chances of certain species of macroalgae from going sexual, as well as helps to add dissolved oxygen to the pelagic areas of your tank to reduce carbon dioxide buildup from respiration and the daytime photosyntheis shut down!

 

[dominga]

In other words Having the lights in a reverse schedule will help with PH swings.

 

[higgz]

I thankyou all for your help

 

[dscola]

I had a real problem with red slime as well in my main tank. I cut back drastically on feedings and it went away in a few days. I definetly think it's a function of excess nutrients rather than of an extended photoperiod.

 

[hebdo27]

i started dosing sugar and my cyno went away after 2 days! I dosed two teaspoons of sugar for my 90 gal with 30 gal sump once per day.