SOS algae over growth

[MeesePolice]

I recently moved away to college and left my mom to take care of my aquarium for about 2 to 3 weeks, I was aware of a nitrate issue before I left I figured to be fine with a 20% water change but when I returned to come bring it to my new house i discovered it is completely overgrown with red algae, most of the coral has been completely trampled by the algae, the two clown fish and other Crustaceans I have in the aquarium seem to be fine however. I want to know if its worth coming back from or just power washing all the rocks, replacing the sand and starting new. I cant upload pictures for some reason but everything from the sand to the glass is covered in algae, I should also mention this is not cyanobacteria.

 

[Anemone]

What size is the tank?

Personally, I'd vacuum out as much of the algae from the sand as I could, then scrub the rocks with a stiff brush in a bucket of tank water. Power washing the rocks will destroy most of the bacteria (leading to a tank cycle) and any micro and macro fauna living on the rocks; scrubbing in tank water will let you keep some of the good stuff.

2-3 weeks of neglect/overfeeding shouldn't be that hard to overcome.

Kevin

 

[billdogg]

What size is the tank?

Personally, I'd vacuum out as much of the algae from the sand as I could, then scrub the rocks with a stiff brush in a bucket of tank water. Power washing the rocks will destroy most of the bacteria (leading to a tank cycle) and any micro and macro fauna living on the rocks; scrubbing in tank water will let you keep some of the good stuff.

2-3 weeks of neglect/overfeeding shouldn't be that hard to overcome.

Kevin

^^^This^^^

Although it sounds a lot like the dreade4d cyanobacteria to me - especially it's rate of growth and it's mat like appearance.

Pics would really help!

 

[Uncle99]

What size....now that's an important question.....my guess is small.....things happen real fast in small tanks.

It sounds like cyano, however:

If we are talking Red Hair Algae (and not cyano) Mexican Turbos will clean those rocks in a few weeks, just keeping placing them in affected areas until gone.

If you can scrub it with a brush and it don't come off at all, then it's Red Hair Algae, annoying stuff, at least the green stuff can be picked and scrubbed, or weakened with ultra low phosphates, maybe a blackout from time to time.

Make sure your not using old T5'lights or that any amount of sunlight can hit the tank, these are famous for growing the red stuff....

Otherwise it's cyano, but seems a lot (sand, rock, glass) for a few weeks..... Unless the tank is small

Cyano is generally found in newer tanks, it's a stage, just blow it and vacuum, make sure all the waters going in originate from 0 TDS RODI, some believe silicates feed cyano, but sheer speculation.

 

[MeesePolice]

It was red hair algae, thanks for all the ideas, the move went relatively smooth and i brushed what algae i could off, I will get some snails soon to make sure this doesn't happen again thanks everyone.

 

[jlmawp]

Are you 100% sure about it being red hair algae? If it is, in fact, cyano, the snails won't really do much with it.