Red/Brown Alge

wizzard · 10/02/2006, 04:29 PM

I have a large salt water marine tank 8ft x 2ft x 2.5ft.

it has been established for over a year and of late the rocks an sand and every think is getting this red alge growing on it.

i run a deep sand bed with a 7ft sump with a large protein skimmer. there are some pieces of old live rock in there to help filter aswell.

in the tank i run 2 x tunze pumps with controller for reef like flow.
the return pump runs at 4000l per hour. (so i don't think its a flow problem)

I have 3 x 20,000k 250hz metal haide lights above the tank.
these globes are about 1 month old.

Any advise would be great.

wizzard · 10/02/2006, 07:38 PM

I have a large salt water marine tank 8ft x 2ft x 2.5ft.

it has been established for over a year and of late the rocks an sand and every think is getting this red alge growing on it.

i run a deep sand bed with a 7ft sump with a large protein skimmer. there are some pieces of old live rock in there to help filter aswell.

in the tank i run 2 x tunze pumps with controller for reef like flow.
the return pump runs at 4000l per hour. (so i don't think its a flow problem)

I have 3 x 20,000k 250hz metal haide lights above the tank.
these globes are about 1 month old.

Any advise would be great.

Avi · 10/02/2006, 08:05 PM

I'd think that you're tank is extremely dim with the lighting coming from three 20,000K bulbs. I'd switch over to 14,000Ks or even 10,000Ks. Making a change like that may have a side-benefit as far as the "red algae" that you describe is concerned. But that assumes that what you mean by the term, "red algae" is cyanobacteria.. Sometimes, changing the spectrum of lighting will have a negative impact on cyanobacteria. On the other hand, it could be coraline algae which is not something that's a pest or a menace. If you blast the "red algae," does it com off of the rockwork? ....Is it gelatinous to the touch?

wizzard · 10/03/2006, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Avi
I'd think that you're tank is extremely dim with the lighting coming from three 20,000K bulbs. I'd switch over to 14,000Ks or even 10,000Ks. Making a change like that may have a side-benefit as far as the "red algae" that you describe is concerned. But that assumes that what you mean by the term, "red algae" is cyanobacteria.. Sometimes, changing the spectrum of lighting will have a negative impact on cyanobacteria. On the other hand, it could be coraline algae which is not something that's a pest or a menace. If you blast the "red algae," does it com off of the rockwork? ....Is it gelatinous to the touch?

The algae is very slimmy and easly comes off the rocks and sand then i scoop it out with a net. it defenately is not a good algae!

what do you think?

divecj5 · 10/03/2006, 05:42 AM

From the slimey and "comes off easily" part, sounds like unfortunately you have a case of cyanobacteria.

Others can probably suggest a better remedy but one thing I'm sure will be suggested is to get to the root of the problem (lighting as someone stated above) instead of just dosing Chemi-Pure.

I'm sure you will get some more advice on this front though.

Adam

Avi · 10/03/2006, 07:29 AM

I would have to say that the presence of cyanobacteria is, in the end, due to water quality issues. It sounds like there's no question but that it is cyanobacteria as opposed to a true micro-algae. But, addressing the problem is much the same. Increased water changes in both frequency and perhaps volume (at about 20% each time which would be as much as every other day, IMO, at least while making efforts deal with the cyano,) assuring that the water source for the water changes is nitrate and phosphate free so if you're using tap water, test it and if there are traces of either change to using RO water, make sure your protein skimmer is indeed working properly, make certain that you aren't overfeeding, etc. Also, as noted before, changing the bulbs and the length of the photo-period may also have some effect.

wizzard · 10/03/2006, 05:03 PM

Thanks for your help, I will increase my water changes and let you know the results.

10/02/2006, 04:29 PM	#1
wizzard Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3	Red/Brown Alge I have a large salt water marine tank 8ft x 2ft x 2.5ft. it has been established for over a year and of late the rocks an sand and every think is getting this red alge growing on it. i run a deep sand bed with a 7ft sump with a large protein skimmer. there are some pieces of old live rock in there to help filter aswell. in the tank i run 2 x tunze pumps with controller for reef like flow. the return pump runs at 4000l per hour. (so i don't think its a flow problem) I have 3 x 20,000k 250hz metal haide lights above the tank. these globes are about 1 month old. Any advise would be great.

10/02/2006, 07:38 PM	#2
wizzard Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3	Red/Brown Alge I have a large salt water marine tank 8ft x 2ft x 2.5ft. it has been established for over a year and of late the rocks an sand and every think is getting this red alge growing on it. i run a deep sand bed with a 7ft sump with a large protein skimmer. there are some pieces of old live rock in there to help filter aswell. in the tank i run 2 x tunze pumps with controller for reef like flow. the return pump runs at 4000l per hour. (so i don't think its a flow problem) I have 3 x 20,000k 250hz metal haide lights above the tank. these globes are about 1 month old. Any advise would be great.

10/02/2006, 08:05 PM	#3
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	I'd think that you're tank is extremely dim with the lighting coming from three 20,000K bulbs. I'd switch over to 14,000Ks or even 10,000Ks. Making a change like that may have a side-benefit as far as the "red algae" that you describe is concerned. But that assumes that what you mean by the term, "red algae" is cyanobacteria.. Sometimes, changing the spectrum of lighting will have a negative impact on cyanobacteria. On the other hand, it could be coraline algae which is not something that's a pest or a menace. If you blast the "red algae," does it com off of the rockwork? ....Is it gelatinous to the touch? __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

10/03/2006, 07:29 AM	#6
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	I would have to say that the presence of cyanobacteria is, in the end, due to water quality issues. It sounds like there's no question but that it is cyanobacteria as opposed to a true micro-algae. But, addressing the problem is much the same. Increased water changes in both frequency and perhaps volume (at about 20% each time which would be as much as every other day, IMO, at least while making efforts deal with the cyano,) assuring that the water source for the water changes is nitrate and phosphate free so if you're using tap water, test it and if there are traces of either change to using RO water, make sure your protein skimmer is indeed working properly, make certain that you aren't overfeeding, etc. Also, as noted before, changing the bulbs and the length of the photo-period may also have some effect. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

10/03/2006, 05:42 AM	#5
divecj5 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 709	From the slimey and "comes off easily" part, sounds like unfortunately you have a case of cyanobacteria. Others can probably suggest a better remedy but one thing I'm sure will be suggested is to get to the root of the problem (lighting as someone stated above) instead of just dosing Chemi-Pure. I'm sure you will get some more advice on this front though. Adam

10/03/2006, 05:03 PM	#7
wizzard Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3	Thanks for your help, I will increase my water changes and let you know the results.