Red Slime Problem

coralreefer80 · 11/05/2009, 11:59 AM

I have a red slime problem and really need some help getting it under control. I have a 28 gallon bow front running an aquaticlife internal mini protein skimmer 115, a koralia 2 powerhead and I just upgraded to a 4x24W sundial T5 fixture. Nitrates were fairly low (10 ppm) when this problem started, so I'm thinking that the lighting is too much. The only thing is that I don't have the lights on for very long (6 hours for the daylight and 8 for the actinics) because I am acclimating my corals and anemone.

I've read/heard that nothing eats this stuff, so how can I get it under control?

rbnice1 · 11/05/2009, 12:03 PM

The best luck I had was I cut back feeding to barest minimum, then syphoned out as much red slime as I could doing water changes every 4-5 days. Did that for 3-4 weeks and then dosed some red slime remover to kill off any traces that were left. Still have a small amount in my fuge but not in the display.

Chris27 · 11/05/2009, 02:39 PM

My sewer eats it pretty well, but only after I've manually siphoned it out!

I wouldn't worry about the light messing with it too much, it's there because of nutrients in the water. Keep siphoning it out and try to get the nitrates and phosphates as low as you can. Red Slime tends to grow in low flow areas (even in the ocean), so you could try repositioning your returns or power heads to eliminate any dead spots.

Activated carbon and a good skimmer will also aid in removal, as they remove proteins from the water column before they can break down via nitrogen cycle.

If you don't have much in the way of livestock, Red Slime Remover does work well, but you have to follow the directions on the bottle very carefully. Your skimmer will have to be readjusted, and you will have to use an air pump / air stone in your tank as the remover depletes oxygen rather quickly.

11/05/2009, 11:59 AM	#1
coralreefer80 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 62	Red Slime Problem I have a red slime problem and really need some help getting it under control. I have a 28 gallon bow front running an aquaticlife internal mini protein skimmer 115, a koralia 2 powerhead and I just upgraded to a 4x24W sundial T5 fixture. Nitrates were fairly low (10 ppm) when this problem started, so I'm thinking that the lighting is too much. The only thing is that I don't have the lights on for very long (6 hours for the daylight and 8 for the actinics) because I am acclimating my corals and anemone. I've read/heard that nothing eats this stuff, so how can I get it under control?

11/05/2009, 12:03 PM	#2
rbnice1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 3,905	The best luck I had was I cut back feeding to barest minimum, then syphoned out as much red slime as I could doing water changes every 4-5 days. Did that for 3-4 weeks and then dosed some red slime remover to kill off any traces that were left. Still have a small amount in my fuge but not in the display.

11/05/2009, 02:39 PM	#3
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	My sewer eats it pretty well, but only after I've manually siphoned it out! I wouldn't worry about the light messing with it too much, it's there because of nutrients in the water. Keep siphoning it out and try to get the nitrates and phosphates as low as you can. Red Slime tends to grow in low flow areas (even in the ocean), so you could try repositioning your returns or power heads to eliminate any dead spots. Activated carbon and a good skimmer will also aid in removal, as they remove proteins from the water column before they can break down via nitrogen cycle. If you don't have much in the way of livestock, Red Slime Remover does work well, but you have to follow the directions on the bottle very carefully. Your skimmer will have to be readjusted, and you will have to use an air pump / air stone in your tank as the remover depletes oxygen rather quickly.