Green Slime Algae (Cyanobacteria?)

deepreefer · 10/08/2012, 11:14 AM

How can I get rid of the green slime algae I have, it is like the red slime, but just green and it gets these bubbles on it. It is all over my rocks and also gets into my zoanthids. Is anyone familiar with this stuff and how to get rid of it? I replaced my t5 bulbs and the tank isn't new it's been up for nearly 8 months now. So any help is appreciated thanks.

Reef264 · 10/08/2012, 11:59 AM

D inoflagellates, is what your experiencing.Ive been there, it sucks.Big Time.

You need to take care of it quickly, because it will take over.It will cover your rocks, corals, and as you already know, your sand.Turn your lights out for 3 Days, change 30% of water on the first day, sucking out all of the slime.On the 3rd day do another 30% water change.Be sure to block any light from getting to the tank.Keep it well oxygenated, skim heavily, and keep fresh carbon to remove the toxins the dino's put out.

-Ray

deepreefer · 10/08/2012, 05:41 PM

ok, thanks do you know what causes it generally or does it vary?

Reef264 · 10/08/2012, 05:49 PM

Generally it's a spike in nitrates.One major causes is desturbing the sand bed.I usually see some dino's after messing with my sand.Reef Crystals caused it for me last time though.

Good luck,
-Ray

deepreefer · 10/08/2012, 07:05 PM

ok, thanks for the help I really appreciate it.

hollister · 10/08/2012, 07:30 PM

What is your water readings?
Do you test for phosphate?
Phosphate is a common reason for unwanted algea. Tap water and miss maintained water filter units are famous for this. Along with poor water flow and or bad powerhead placement.

Bandos reefer · 12/12/2012, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef264

Generally it's a spike in nitrates.One major causes is desturbing the sand bed.I usually see some dino's after messing with my sand.Reef Crystals caused it for me last time though.

Good luck,
-Ray

What happens when your tank is bare bottom?
My tank is slowly covered w green slime.

kissman · 12/12/2012, 03:05 PM

have you tested Nitrates and Phosphates? I think Dino's are usually brown but could be wrong. I would start running GFO to lower phosphates, water changes to lower nitrates. Are you using RO/DI water?

Reef264 · 12/12/2012, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bandos reefer

What happens when your tank is bare bottom?
My tank is slowly covered w green slime.

Lower Nutrient levels, manual removal, and Lights out every other day.Takes it out.

-Ray

Bandos reefer · 12/27/2012, 09:28 AM

Would coral snowmdomthe trick?
I can't afford to off my tank lights

powderhound · 12/27/2012, 10:48 AM

corals will do fine for a few days with no lights. Ive had the same problem in the past. I cut lights for 3 days, and it decreases the algae, only to come back real soon. I got rid of them by stopping vodka dosing and no water changes for a month to 6 weeks. they seem to limit themselves after about a month

Can you blow the algae off the rocks with a turkeybaster or a powerhead? if you can get as much into the water and off the rocks as you can, and use some felt filter bags to remove as much as possible.

kissman · 12/27/2012, 11:51 AM

Cyano is usually from high PO4 and if you have cyano the PO4 will be used up before you can test it. The best way to reduce PO4 is by running GFO in a reactor, making sure none is being added by using RO/DI water with 0 TDS and making sure to feed properly. When I had them I started running GFO cut my lights out for 3 days and wrapped black construction paper around tank so no light would get through. Corals were fine. Before I cut lights back on I changed out my GFO so that it would absorb the PO4 and not the Cyano. Cyano has not come back. Cutting lights out will kill Cyano but if you don't lower nutrients it will be back in days

10/08/2012, 11:14 AM	#1
deepreefer Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 70	Green Slime Algae (Cyanobacteria?) How can I get rid of the green slime algae I have, it is like the red slime, but just green and it gets these bubbles on it. It is all over my rocks and also gets into my zoanthids. Is anyone familiar with this stuff and how to get rid of it? I replaced my t5 bulbs and the tank isn't new it's been up for nearly 8 months now. So any help is appreciated thanks.

10/08/2012, 11:59 AM	#2
Reef264 Where's The Reef? Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Southaven, Ms Posts: 2,098	D inoflagellates, is what your experiencing.Ive been there, it sucks.Big Time. You need to take care of it quickly, because it will take over.It will cover your rocks, corals, and as you already know, your sand.Turn your lights out for 3 Days, change 30% of water on the first day, sucking out all of the slime.On the 3rd day do another 30% water change.Be sure to block any light from getting to the tank.Keep it well oxygenated, skim heavily, and keep fresh carbon to remove the toxins the dino's put out. -Ray __________________ I'd rather Die on my feet, than Live on my Knees. Current Tank Info: 150g SPS Reef, 2x250w 14k Pheonix Metal Halides w/T-5 Actinics, 2 Tunze 6095's, Tunze 7096 controller, Ozone, Precision Marine Skimmer, Reef Octopus Bio-Churn Bio Pellet Reactor, GFO & Carbon Reactor, Ozone Reactor, ATO, Reef Keeper.

10/08/2012, 05:49 PM	#4
Reef264 Where's The Reef? Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Southaven, Ms Posts: 2,098	Generally it's a spike in nitrates.One major causes is desturbing the sand bed.I usually see some dino's after messing with my sand.Reef Crystals caused it for me last time though. Good luck, -Ray __________________ I'd rather Die on my feet, than Live on my Knees. Current Tank Info: 150g SPS Reef, 2x250w 14k Pheonix Metal Halides w/T-5 Actinics, 2 Tunze 6095's, Tunze 7096 controller, Ozone, Precision Marine Skimmer, Reef Octopus Bio-Churn Bio Pellet Reactor, GFO & Carbon Reactor, Ozone Reactor, ATO, Reef Keeper.

12/27/2012, 10:48 AM	#11
powderhound Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lake Tahoe, CA Posts: 552	corals will do fine for a few days with no lights. Ive had the same problem in the past. I cut lights for 3 days, and it decreases the algae, only to come back real soon. I got rid of them by stopping vodka dosing and no water changes for a month to 6 weeks. they seem to limit themselves after about a month Can you blow the algae off the rocks with a turkeybaster or a powerhead? if you can get as much into the water and off the rocks as you can, and use some felt filter bags to remove as much as possible. __________________ If it's snowing I'm going! Current Tank Info: DSA 190 pro 48inch cebu sun with 2x 400w radiums 4x54 t5 bubblemagus 220cs

10/08/2012, 05:41 PM	#3
deepreefer Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 70	ok, thanks do you know what causes it generally or does it vary?

10/08/2012, 07:05 PM	#5
deepreefer Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 70	ok, thanks for the help I really appreciate it.

10/08/2012, 07:30 PM	#6
hollister Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,037	What is your water readings? Do you test for phosphate? Phosphate is a common reason for unwanted algea. Tap water and miss maintained water filter units are famous for this. Along with poor water flow and or bad powerhead placement.

12/12/2012, 03:05 PM	#8
kissman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lynchburg, Va Posts: 2,963	have you tested Nitrates and Phosphates? I think Dino's are usually brown but could be wrong. I would start running GFO to lower phosphates, water changes to lower nitrates. Are you using RO/DI water?

12/27/2012, 09:28 AM	#10
Bandos reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 38	Would coral snowmdomthe trick? I can't afford to off my tank lights

12/27/2012, 11:51 AM	#12
kissman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lynchburg, Va Posts: 2,963	Cyano is usually from high PO4 and if you have cyano the PO4 will be used up before you can test it. The best way to reduce PO4 is by running GFO in a reactor, making sure none is being added by using RO/DI water with 0 TDS and making sure to feed properly. When I had them I started running GFO cut my lights out for 3 days and wrapped black construction paper around tank so no light would get through. Corals were fine. Before I cut lights back on I changed out my GFO so that it would absorb the PO4 and not the Cyano. Cyano has not come back. Cutting lights out will kill Cyano but if you don't lower nutrients it will be back in days