Cyno #$@%

omard · 05-21-2007, 06:18 PM

Have gradually let a red slime problem get out of control.

Have had small bouts with in the past, but easily got by them by vacuming which worked and it went away.

But now it is starting to cover large areas of rock. Even my snails are carrying it around on their shells.

Anyway found old link of Jason Mckenzie's (10/03) - recommending Ultralife Red Slime remover.

Hope it works as good as advertised.

Just ordered some from BigAls...better get here soon.

Oddly the stuff is growing primarily in my low lighted areas. There is none directly under the MH's.

Am not feeding any more or less then always.

Really like to know source.

Otty · 05-21-2007, 06:31 PM

Do you have good flow in the lower levels??

omard · 05-21-2007, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otty

Do you have good flow in the lower levels??

Probably not enough in center of tank...and that is actually where alot of is is showing up, in low flow areas.

Scott

sssnake · 05-22-2007, 03:54 AM

Do yourself a favor omard....

Remove as much of the cyano that you can before dosing this product. It doesn't say to do so in the directions but I was told by my LFS that it was the first thing I should have done. I used this product with disastrous effects .... wiped out everything in my tank in less than 24 hours!!! ..... and I followed the directions on the box to a tee. As well, I would dose half of the amount required.

Unfortunately the instructions that are written on the box itself are way too general IMO.

Just as a side note I went back to my LFS and was told that another fellow hobbyist used the same product with the same result ..... disaster. He is now starting over again (like me).

I'm not saying the product is not good, I'm just saying the company should have given more detailed "Directions". All it says is "It may affect oxygen and pH levels" ....... go figure.

Maybe it was a bad batch, who knows?!?

Good luck my friend.

hitman35 · 05-22-2007, 04:19 AM

i did also use the red slime remover and well most of my tank was lost from it but the upside to that which isnt much is that the slime is gone

Otty · 05-22-2007, 04:57 AM

You should be able to take care of this with flow and not add chemicals. Suck out what is in the tank and then add or redirect a PH in that area and see if it fixes it. I would much rather see you dry it naturally instead of adding chemicals.

djnzlab1 · 05-22-2007, 04:41 PM

HI,
My guess is your water is off, things like nitrite, phos, waste, and so on.
do you check phos, is your kh ok. whats feeding the red slime, it can't grow without food. IS your light working or are the bulbs really old, you may need a really good skimmer.
Doug

article about prevention.
About Red Slime Algae - Cyanobacteria - in Saltwater Aquariums - What Red Slime Algae Is - What Makes It Grow & Solutions for Eliminating

((Ultralife Red Algae Remover as one example, to "cure" the problem. However, many of these types of treatments appear to only solve the "symptom" (the slime algae), not the underlying problem(s). Cyanobacteria are a form of bacteria, and many of the additives currently in use are antibiotics, which are medications that can weaken or totally wipe out the biological filter base of an aquarium. Use these types of treatments cautiously))

it seems according this article something is off in your system , killing the red algae dosen't fix the water quality problems, I visitied your web page and if that big tank is your problem its full of live corals and other critters, maybe you need a bigger sump with reforguim and dsb in the sump.

omard · 05-22-2007, 07:29 PM

Thanks for replies.

Suspect my problem is combination of poor circulation and overfeeding.

Will put slime remover on shelf until I am overwhelmed by all else. Am very concerned by reported tank deaths after using. Even losing a single fish would send me catatonic.

Willieo101587 · 05-22-2007, 11:57 PM

I'm battling a red slime outbreak myself, but I'm torn as to whether it's due to poor water flow, poor water quality, or poor skimming (I have a Prizm until I can find a job and get the cash to replace it). I don't think it's water movement because no cyano had been growing for months with my current powerhead configuration. I suppose getting a phosphate test would be a good move. Personally, I'm trying to avoid the medication route as well.

inwall75 · 05-23-2007, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willieo101587

I'm battling a red slime outbreak myself, but I'm torn as to whether it's due to poor water flow, poor water quality, or poor skimming (I have a Prizm until I can find a job and get the cash to replace it). I don't think it's water movement because no cyano had been growing for months with my current powerhead configuration. I suppose getting a phosphate test would be a good move. Personally, I'm trying to avoid the medication route as well.

If you have a visible cyano bloom, you're not likely to be able to get a reading on a phosphate test kit. They are able to nab phosphate out of the water much faster than you will be able to test for it.

Want to know the most effective natural exporter of phosphates is....i.e. Caulerpa, Chaetomorpha, etc. It's none of these. Siphoning out cyanobacteria is BY FAR the best natural exporter. (It's just a pain compared to throwing away a macroalgae).