Weird algae problem

ming69 · 01/26/2008, 01:26 AM

For the past few days, my sand bed has been covered with what looks like red slime during the day, but it disappears with all the lights comes on in the evening.

My tank is outdoors and has a lot of sunlight. Don't have much problem with hair algae in the past. My lights comes on between 5.30pm to 9.30pm.

When the red slime started to appear, ph level also seems to have dropped too. KH was low but have managed to raise it to acceptable level. CA and MG is a bit on the low side as well, but have been dosing to raise them gradually.

Corals and fishes look ok, so far.

Anyone experienced something like this before? Please advise. Thanks!

Primetime33 · 01/27/2008, 07:23 AM

Check your phosphate and nitrate levels.

ahullsb · 01/30/2008, 06:57 PM

Good first step

jonbry123 · 02/02/2008, 03:13 PM

Ming it sounds like Red slime/cynobacteria. Also check your nitrate and phosphate levels. I recently had a huge problem with this becuase of a high bioload in my FOWLR tank. Upgraded to a more powerful skimmer and has completely disappeared.

Scott

demonsp · 02/03/2008, 12:14 AM

Tank size?
Tanks age?
Whats used for flow?

moo0o · 02/04/2008, 08:42 PM

id increase the flow on the areas that are affected a little bit, thats what did it for me.

ClamIAm · 02/05/2008, 11:55 PM

How old is the tank? I've had this commonly happen in new tanks where nutrients are going crazy because the cycle isn't established yet. In those cases it tended to go away on its own after a week or two once nutrient levels settled down.

01/26/2008, 01:26 AM	#1
ming69 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 41	Weird algae problem For the past few days, my sand bed has been covered with what looks like red slime during the day, but it disappears with all the lights comes on in the evening. My tank is outdoors and has a lot of sunlight. Don't have much problem with hair algae in the past. My lights comes on between 5.30pm to 9.30pm. When the red slime started to appear, ph level also seems to have dropped too. KH was low but have managed to raise it to acceptable level. CA and MG is a bit on the low side as well, but have been dosing to raise them gradually. Corals and fishes look ok, so far. Anyone experienced something like this before? Please advise. Thanks!

01/27/2008, 07:23 AM	#2
Primetime33 SCMAS Logistics and IT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,814	Check your phosphate and nitrate levels. __________________ Brock Big Daddy Prime Current Tank Info: JBJ 50 gal

01/30/2008, 06:57 PM	#3
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	Good first step __________________ Andy Sacramento, CA Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef w/20 gallon sump/ER135/ 75 pounds of live rock, 4 in sandbed, 2 b&w ocellaris clowns, yellow watchman/pistol, rosy scaled wrasse, Mystery wrasse, Copperbanded Butterfly, Lighting 48" outer orbit 2 150 mh/ 4 t5 actinics

02/02/2008, 03:13 PM	#4
jonbry123 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: allentown, pa Posts: 581	Ming it sounds like Red slime/cynobacteria. Also check your nitrate and phosphate levels. I recently had a huge problem with this becuase of a high bioload in my FOWLR tank. Upgraded to a more powerful skimmer and has completely disappeared. Scott __________________ Bryan "You can swim all day in the Sea of Knowledge and still come out completely dry."-Norman Juster Current Tank Info: 300gl FOWLR/155glRT

02/03/2008, 12:14 AM	#5
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Tank size? Tanks age? Whats used for flow?

02/04/2008, 08:42 PM	#6
moo0o Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SJ,CA Posts: 1,694	id increase the flow on the areas that are affected a little bit, thats what did it for me.

02/05/2008, 11:55 PM	#7
ClamIAm Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 535	How old is the tank? I've had this commonly happen in new tanks where nutrients are going crazy because the cycle isn't established yet. In those cases it tended to go away on its own after a week or two once nutrient levels settled down.