Red Slime algae starting

JohnSt22 · 07-06-2006, 06:26 AM

I have just recently noticed red slime algae starting to spread. I have been picking it out of the tank carefully but it keeps coming back. Does anyone have an idea why i would get red slime algae?

I have a few ideas but i am not sure. I have only had my 20 gallon reef going for 3 to 4 months now and i just recently jumped from 8 to 12 hours of light to accomodate for the new corals i have just introduced. All my corals were introduced within the last month. I also have trouble keeping the tank at a consistent temperature. It fluctuates from 78 to 82 degrees.

jtReef · 07-06-2006, 07:15 AM

Do a bigger search on the site. This has been covered very often. It may also be a type of spreading flat worm.
I forget the specific name but there are a few things that can help.
There is a product that is a powder form that works very well.
Makes the skimmer go crazy though so unplug it.
I had it for a few months as well and it was completely fed by a shot glass or sink water i used to break up frozen food.
Using RODI water only will make a huge difference combating this issue.

fletch · 07-06-2006, 07:38 AM

Red Slime algae is not actually an algae it is actually a bacteria called Cyanobacteria, There is a lot of info on the net. and also I am sure you will find a lot here on 3Reef in the Forum Menu under Algae. here is one link that you may find interesting.

http://netclub.athiel.com/cyano/cyanos2.htm

amcarrig · 07-06-2006, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnSt22

I have just recently noticed red slime algae starting to spread. I have been picking it out of the tank carefully but it keeps coming back. Does anyone have an idea why i would get red slime algae?

I have a few ideas but i am not sure. I have only had my 20 gallon reef going for 3 to 4 months now and i just recently jumped from 8 to 12 hours of light to accomodate for the new corals i have just introduced. All my corals were introduced within the last month. I also have trouble keeping the tank at a consistent temperature. It fluctuates from 78 to 82 degrees.

Red slime is perfectly normal in a new tank. Keep doing what you've been doing and run carbon if you're not already running it. It will run its course and be gone in a few months time if you keep your water parameters in check.

As for your temperature, are you doing anything to keep the tank cool at the moment? Do you run the a/c during the summer months? Have a fan blowing on the tank?

JohnSt22 · 07-07-2006, 07:36 AM

I do have the ac on but no fan. I have the lights on for 12 hours a day so by about 7:00 p.m. the tank is running at about 80 - 82 degrees and during the night, morning, and early afternoon it ranges from 78 - 80 degrees.

JohnSt22 · 07-07-2006, 07:38 AM

I actually bought red slime remover which does work very well but the bottle kind of scared me because it said it may effect PH. Should i do a small water change after the treatment to restore the PH to the desired level?

amcarrig · 07-07-2006, 07:39 AM

Besides running the a/c all day during the summer, I change the light cycle of my tank so that the lights come on only after the sun has gone down. I also have a fan in my hood that runs 24/7. This helps but without the a/c running, I'd have huge problems with heat regardless.

amcarrig · 07-07-2006, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnSt22

I actually bought red slime remover which does work very well but the bottle kind of scared me because it said it may effect PH. Should i do a small water change after the treatment to restore the PH to the desired level?

If your tank is only a few months old, doing a water change now would be detrimental to completing the cycle. Just let the cyano run its course.

JohnSt22 · 07-07-2006, 08:59 AM

Will do, thanks for the help

07-06-2006, 06:26 AM	#1
JohnSt22 Plankton Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pataskala, OH Posts: 20 Skin: Mint Karma: 1	Red Slime algae starting I have just recently noticed red slime algae starting to spread. I have been picking it out of the tank carefully but it keeps coming back. Does anyone have an idea why i would get red slime algae? I have a few ideas but i am not sure. I have only had my 20 gallon reef going for 3 to 4 months now and i just recently jumped from 8 to 12 hours of light to accomodate for the new corals i have just introduced. All my corals were introduced within the last month. I also have trouble keeping the tank at a consistent temperature. It fluctuates from 78 to 82 degrees.

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07-06-2006, 07:15 AM	#2
jtReef Ritteri Anemone Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Naperville IL Age: 32 Posts: 626 Skin: Mint Karma: 273	Do a bigger search on the site. This has been covered very often. It may also be a type of spreading flat worm. I forget the specific name but there are a few things that can help. There is a product that is a powder form that works very well. Makes the skimmer go crazy though so unplug it. I had it for a few months as well and it was completely fed by a shot glass or sink water i used to break up frozen food. Using RODI water only will make a huge difference combating this issue.

07-06-2006, 07:38 AM	#3
fletch Kole Tang Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,780 Skin: Mint Karma: 432	Red Slime algae is not actually an algae it is actually a bacteria called Cyanobacteria, There is a lot of info on the net. and also I am sure you will find a lot here on 3Reef in the Forum Menu under Algae. here is one link that you may find interesting. http://netclub.athiel.com/cyano/cyanos2.htm

07-07-2006, 07:36 AM	#5
JohnSt22 Plankton Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pataskala, OH Posts: 20 Skin: Mint Karma: 1	I do have the ac on but no fan. I have the lights on for 12 hours a day so by about 7:00 p.m. the tank is running at about 80 - 82 degrees and during the night, morning, and early afternoon it ranges from 78 - 80 degrees.

07-07-2006, 07:38 AM	#6
JohnSt22 Plankton Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pataskala, OH Posts: 20 Skin: Mint Karma: 1	I actually bought red slime remover which does work very well but the bottle kind of scared me because it said it may effect PH. Should i do a small water change after the treatment to restore the PH to the desired level?

07-07-2006, 07:39 AM	#7
amcarrig 3reef Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: CT Age: 42 Posts: 9,033 Skin: Classic Karma: 2396154	Besides running the a/c all day during the summer, I change the light cycle of my tank so that the lights come on only after the sun has gone down. I also have a fan in my hood that runs 24/7. This helps but without the a/c running, I'd have huge problems with heat regardless.

07-07-2006, 08:59 AM	#9
JohnSt22 Plankton Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pataskala, OH Posts: 20 Skin: Mint Karma: 1	Will do, thanks for the help