Red String Algae in Nano Cube HELPPPP

saycheessee · 07/22/2006, 11:17 PM

I have a problem with red string algae. Been fighting it now for 4 weeks.. not luck.. what else do I need to do?? (I am lost and about to give up!!)

I have added another powerhead for flow and directed it in the area where it is growing the most. Still no help. Tank is a 24g Nano Cube with nano skimmer. Nitrates less than 5 nitrites all 0 PH running around 8.3 (too high?) Always use R/O or Distilled water for weekly changes and tanks been set up for over a year. I've been sucking all the junk out when I do water changes and skim the sand where it's at the most. (hard to get all of it off my rocks though) I have mostly blue legs and a few red legs left. Temp stays a little high at around 83 ( I have the cooler to add to the top just haven't installed it yet.. haven't had time) Lights are on timer and the more I run them.. the more of this crap I get. (had to turn the timer down but corals are looking PUCKY! Not opened well at all.) Any suggestions appreciated!! HELPPP

HELPPPP before I loose everything..

Hobby Experience: 6 yrs off and on

*I also posted this in the Nano cube section to see if anyone with a nano had other suggestions... don't have sump to add cheato cause the sump on a nano doesn't have light and it would die off wouldn't it??

dendro982 · 07/24/2006, 06:21 AM

What are your phosphates? Aquarium Pharmaceuticals tests are inexpensive. Algae growth is usually supported by high nitrates or high phosphates, or both.

Phosphates can be lowered by phospate-adsorbing resins, like Phosban or PhosGuard, just put in the filter bag in one of the chambers that is with filter media. In 1-4 days phosphates should be down.

Chaeto can help with nitrates. I put ping-pong ball sized piece in the corner of my 6 gal nano cube, where it receives tank's light.

Not the best spectrum for algae photosyntesis, daylight 6500K would be better. It can be placed at the side of the cube, near bottom (small clip-on or desktop lamp with common CFL from Home Depot), directed onto chaeto.

Another option for chaeto is temporary small external sump with light, see pictures here (may need registration to access pictures)
sump for 2.5 gal tank

For lowering temperature you can leave nanocube lid partially open, I suppot it by square pencil sharpener. Fan across the water surface can help, or at least across the tank. Last, time-cosuming resort is adding ice in a plastic bags - just hang over tank edge.

funman1 · 07/24/2006, 08:13 AM

sounds more like cyano..
Are you dure it's red hair?

Also if you have a jbj you can cut the vinyl off the back of the center section. Then it's clear tank glass, so then you can put a light back there.

I run the light in the back of my tank opisite of the regular lights, and put cheato in the center thing..

It creates a little fuge in a nano..
Let me know if you need pics..

07/22/2006, 11:17 PM	#1
saycheessee Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 350	Red String Algae in Nano Cube HELPPPP I have a problem with red string algae. Been fighting it now for 4 weeks.. not luck.. what else do I need to do?? (I am lost and about to give up!!) I have added another powerhead for flow and directed it in the area where it is growing the most. Still no help. Tank is a 24g Nano Cube with nano skimmer. Nitrates less than 5 nitrites all 0 PH running around 8.3 (too high?) Always use R/O or Distilled water for weekly changes and tanks been set up for over a year. I've been sucking all the junk out when I do water changes and skim the sand where it's at the most. (hard to get all of it off my rocks though) I have mostly blue legs and a few red legs left. Temp stays a little high at around 83 ( I have the cooler to add to the top just haven't installed it yet.. haven't had time) Lights are on timer and the more I run them.. the more of this crap I get. (had to turn the timer down but corals are looking PUCKY! Not opened well at all.) Any suggestions appreciated!! HELPPP HELPPPP before I loose everything.. Hobby Experience: 6 yrs off and on *I also posted this in the Nano cube section to see if anyone with a nano had other suggestions... don't have sump to add cheato cause the sump on a nano doesn't have light and it would die off wouldn't it??

07/24/2006, 08:13 AM	#3
funman1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 4,898	sounds more like cyano.. Are you dure it's red hair? Also if you have a jbj you can cut the vinyl off the back of the center section. Then it's clear tank glass, so then you can put a light back there. I run the light in the back of my tank opisite of the regular lights, and put cheato in the center thing.. It creates a little fuge in a nano.. Let me know if you need pics.. __________________ Professional Pyro: NO REALLY; I get PAID to blow stuff up!! ~Steve~ Current Tank Info: 12G NANO

07/24/2006, 06:21 AM	#2
dendro982 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,963	What are your phosphates? Aquarium Pharmaceuticals tests are inexpensive. Algae growth is usually supported by high nitrates or high phosphates, or both. Phosphates can be lowered by phospate-adsorbing resins, like Phosban or PhosGuard, just put in the filter bag in one of the chambers that is with filter media. In 1-4 days phosphates should be down. Chaeto can help with nitrates. I put ping-pong ball sized piece in the corner of my 6 gal nano cube, where it receives tank's light. Not the best spectrum for algae photosyntesis, daylight 6500K would be better. It can be placed at the side of the cube, near bottom (small clip-on or desktop lamp with common CFL from Home Depot), directed onto chaeto. Another option for chaeto is temporary small external sump with light, see pictures here (may need registration to access pictures) sump for 2.5 gal tank For lowering temperature you can leave nanocube lid partially open, I suppot it by square pencil sharpener. Fan across the water surface can help, or at least across the tank. Last, time-cosuming resort is adding ice in a plastic bags - just hang over tank edge.