Red slime algae - help

Lange1010 · 03/04/2013, 06:29 AM

Hi everyone,
I've had my fish only tank set up for 7 years. It has one cardinal, two mated clowns, a goby, a Niger trig, a few snails, a few crabs, about 10 lbs in live rock in a 67 gallon deep tank. I have good canister filtration and new lighting and two power heads for circulation.

About two years ago I had NO algae growth. I purchased a baby yellow tang which was accompanied by a small batch of algae to feed on. The tang lasted about a week because he wouldn't eat. Hence the algae grew wild. I cut and cleared it out but since then have had major algae problems about every three weeks.

I'm not familiar with the original lighting I had but it came with a switch box and a hanging light that the. Bulb cost about $60 and was hung about 20" above the tanks surface. I was instructed by a local 'expert' to seek out LED lighting which I did. I've had to take the top off the tank to reduce the heat caused by the lighting. The temp is at a steady 78 degrees.

How do I prevent algae blooms so I can add more fish. I don't want to add anymore fish until I fix the problem because the act of scraping the rocks on a three week basis seems to stress them out. Help...

dmh41532 · 03/04/2013, 07:18 AM

i battled cyanobacteria for a year, with just a small patch poping up every now and then. First, what are the phosphate, nitrate, nitrite levels? Do you use r/o water? You may want to consider adding more flow. You said you have a good canister filter, have you considered adding a sump with phosphate media? Also, how often do you feed your fish and how much? For me, the most successful change was nutrient export.

Mikelush78 · 03/04/2013, 08:50 AM

My best guess since you have leds is that your water quality is off... Check Nitrate and Phospates and report back the readings... (Just likedmh said) also do you run GFO? Need to! That removes Phospahte buildup in established Aquarium.

Lange1010 · 03/05/2013, 06:27 AM

I just did a 30% water change and all levels measured good, that being said they have always been good. I am suspicious so today I'm going to get a new test kit.

I don't us RO water and thought about installing one.

How do I test for lead?

Lange1010 · 03/05/2013, 06:30 AM

Additionally I don't know how to set up a sump pump. When I added the new lighting I added two power heads but I'm not sure if its enough. I see the flow in some of the experienced pet stores and they are strong. I'll check the water levels again this evening and repost tonight. After that what should I do first?

kclewis · 03/05/2013, 07:42 AM

Post your levels. Including phosphate. "Levels are good" doesn't mean much unless that means they all came back zero. I would have to think the water you're using for changes has changed some way recently. I had a small issue in a nano due to a large, for the amount of water, phosphate spike. I just left the lights off for 3 days and did a large water change.

03/04/2013, 06:29 AM	#1
Lange1010 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 6	Red slime algae - help Hi everyone, I've had my fish only tank set up for 7 years. It has one cardinal, two mated clowns, a goby, a Niger trig, a few snails, a few crabs, about 10 lbs in live rock in a 67 gallon deep tank. I have good canister filtration and new lighting and two power heads for circulation. About two years ago I had NO algae growth. I purchased a baby yellow tang which was accompanied by a small batch of algae to feed on. The tang lasted about a week because he wouldn't eat. Hence the algae grew wild. I cut and cleared it out but since then have had major algae problems about every three weeks. I'm not familiar with the original lighting I had but it came with a switch box and a hanging light that the. Bulb cost about $60 and was hung about 20" above the tanks surface. I was instructed by a local 'expert' to seek out LED lighting which I did. I've had to take the top off the tank to reduce the heat caused by the lighting. The temp is at a steady 78 degrees. How do I prevent algae blooms so I can add more fish. I don't want to add anymore fish until I fix the problem because the act of scraping the rocks on a three week basis seems to stress them out. Help...

03/04/2013, 08:50 AM	#3
Mikelush78 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 158	My best guess since you have leds is that your water quality is off... Check Nitrate and Phospates and report back the readings... (Just likedmh said) also do you run GFO? Need to! That removes Phospahte buildup in established Aquarium. __________________ Built in wall 180 Gallon Mixed Reef Tank See my homepage for more tank info.

03/04/2013, 07:18 AM	#2
dmh41532 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Bellefontaine Ohio Posts: 771	i battled cyanobacteria for a year, with just a small patch poping up every now and then. First, what are the phosphate, nitrate, nitrite levels? Do you use r/o water? You may want to consider adding more flow. You said you have a good canister filter, have you considered adding a sump with phosphate media? Also, how often do you feed your fish and how much? For me, the most successful change was nutrient export.

03/05/2013, 06:27 AM	#4
Lange1010 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 6	I just did a 30% water change and all levels measured good, that being said they have always been good. I am suspicious so today I'm going to get a new test kit. I don't us RO water and thought about installing one. How do I test for lead?

03/05/2013, 06:30 AM	#5
Lange1010 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 6	Additionally I don't know how to set up a sump pump. When I added the new lighting I added two power heads but I'm not sure if its enough. I see the flow in some of the experienced pet stores and they are strong. I'll check the water levels again this evening and repost tonight. After that what should I do first?

03/05/2013, 07:42 AM	#6
kclewis REEFER Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Beautiful Bargersville, IN Posts: 383	Post your levels. Including phosphate. "Levels are good" doesn't mean much unless that means they all came back zero. I would have to think the water you're using for changes has changed some way recently. I had a small issue in a nano due to a large, for the amount of water, phosphate spike. I just left the lights off for 3 days and did a large water change.