Bad red algae bloom...any ideas???

jwb0126 · 09/23/2007, 09:22 PM

I've started to get a bad red algae bloom in my sand in the last few days. Not growing on the rock or anywhere else, but I'm also noticing it growing below the sand surface through the sides of the tank. Anybody got any ideas? What kind of cleaning crew would work on this problem?

Thanks!

snulma1 · 09/23/2007, 09:56 PM

is it below the surface of the sand? or is it on top of the sand?

coast2coast7390 · 09/23/2007, 11:10 PM

is it a slime...if so use a red slime remover or an anti bacterial such as penacillin...if you use the anti bacterial make sure that you turn it int a powder...you can do this by takeing 2 spoons and pressing the pill in between them

jwb0126 · 09/24/2007, 09:58 AM

It's growing on both the surface and below.

Aquarist007 · 09/24/2007, 10:43 AM

how long has your tank been established--it is not recommended you use slime remover under tanks less then six months old.

try some of the traditional methods:
cut down on feeding
direct a power head at the slime
perform a series of water changes
use a turkey baster lightly over the substrate to get the phosphates and nitrates up into the water column where they can be filtered off

snuggle2me · 09/24/2007, 11:07 AM

I would try the natural methods first before using any additives to try and get rid of it. I also battled it for the first six months of my tank but finally got it under control and it completely went away. I added a powerhead and decreased my feedings to every other day. I also stopped overfeeding and just feed what they could consume in a few minutes and that seemed to do the trick. Plus i would recommend weekly water changes. Hang in there. It will eventually go away even if it seems hopeless at first.

seapug · 09/24/2007, 11:29 AM

I'd also avoid putting any antibiotics in your tank as it will kill your beneficial bacteria as well as the cyano, then you get into a "cycle of cycles." Along with reducing the feeding, increasing water changes, etc. that others have mentioned, check your Ph and Alkalinity. If your alk. is low it can cause Ph swings that can bring on slime outbreaks. If you aren't already, try using RO or distilled water for topoffs. I noticed a big reduction in cyano and diatoms when I got a new RO system installed.

09/23/2007, 09:22 PM	#1
jwb0126 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 176	Bad red algae bloom...any ideas??? I've started to get a bad red algae bloom in my sand in the last few days. Not growing on the rock or anywhere else, but I'm also noticing it growing below the sand surface through the sides of the tank. Anybody got any ideas? What kind of cleaning crew would work on this problem? Thanks! __________________ Jason Bryan My Fiance calls my tank "The other woman." Current Tank Info: 55 gal. mixed reef working towards SPS dominated. Custom 10 gal sump and custom 8 gal refuge. Dual 250w 14k SE MH w/ 2x54w supplemental actinic T5s. Berlin Turbo skimmer. 1 Koralia 2 & 1 Koralia 3 for flow. Hospital / QT tank always on the ready.

09/24/2007, 09:58 AM	#4
jwb0126 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 176	It's growing on both the surface and below. __________________ Jason Bryan My Fiance calls my tank "The other woman." Current Tank Info: 55 gal. mixed reef working towards SPS dominated. Custom 10 gal sump and custom 8 gal refuge. Dual 250w 14k SE MH w/ 2x54w supplemental actinic T5s. Berlin Turbo skimmer. 1 Koralia 2 & 1 Koralia 3 for flow. Hospital / QT tank always on the ready.

09/24/2007, 10:43 AM	#5
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	how long has your tank been established--it is not recommended you use slime remover under tanks less then six months old. try some of the traditional methods: cut down on feeding direct a power head at the slime perform a series of water changes use a turkey baster lightly over the substrate to get the phosphates and nitrates up into the water column where they can be filtered off __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

09/24/2007, 11:29 AM	#7
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	I'd also avoid putting any antibiotics in your tank as it will kill your beneficial bacteria as well as the cyano, then you get into a "cycle of cycles." Along with reducing the feeding, increasing water changes, etc. that others have mentioned, check your Ph and Alkalinity. If your alk. is low it can cause Ph swings that can bring on slime outbreaks. If you aren't already, try using RO or distilled water for topoffs. I noticed a big reduction in cyano and diatoms when I got a new RO system installed. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

09/23/2007, 09:56 PM	#2
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	is it below the surface of the sand? or is it on top of the sand?

09/23/2007, 11:10 PM	#3
coast2coast7390 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Garden Grove Posts: 3,627	is it a slime...if so use a red slime remover or an anti bacterial such as penacillin...if you use the anti bacterial make sure that you turn it int a powder...you can do this by takeing 2 spoons and pressing the pill in between them

09/24/2007, 11:07 AM	#6
snuggle2me Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Palmetto, FL Posts: 233	I would try the natural methods first before using any additives to try and get rid of it. I also battled it for the first six months of my tank but finally got it under control and it completely went away. I added a powerhead and decreased my feedings to every other day. I also stopped overfeeding and just feed what they could consume in a few minutes and that seemed to do the trick. Plus i would recommend weekly water changes. Hang in there. It will eventually go away even if it seems hopeless at first.