Red slime growing on my sand and powerheads

LrgTime · 07-03-2009, 07:13 PM

Was wondering if i should try and extract these patches of red slime algae, they are still really small and when i turn the lights off it almost disapears by the morning.

Can take pic if needed

Crimson Ghost · 07-03-2009, 07:15 PM

you can blast it with a turkey baster - ave you identified and resolved the cause ?

LrgTime · 07-03-2009, 07:19 PM

awesome idea, and no i have not identified the problem as of yet. i was thinking light cycle

reefer Bob · 07-03-2009, 07:20 PM

if you are goin to disturb it you had better suck it out of the tank.

mikejrice · 07-03-2009, 09:08 PM

I would leave it and focus on fixing the problem. If you remove it theres no way to guage wether or not you really found and fixed the problem. How often do you feed?

greysoul · 07-03-2009, 09:49 PM

whatever you do do NOT end up mixing it into the sand bed, it will just comer back stronger...I started off where you're at and now if I remove it all it's back in 6-8 hours.

dread the stuff... got a phosban reactor running now, we'll see if that helps.

Next up is Red Slime Control.

jhawkor · 07-03-2009, 09:57 PM

I have this stuff all over my refugium but none in my DT (knocks on wood).

PharmrJohn · 07-03-2009, 11:21 PM

Nutrient control is key. Get the phosphates and nitrates down and the problem will cease. Use a phosphate reactor (PhosBan) and/or Phosphat-E (as a bandaid). The reactor will keep phosphates at bay consistently.

For nitrates, a coil denitrator or refugium would do. I use both.

Crimson Ghost · 07-04-2009, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PharmrJohn

Nutrient control is key. Get the phosphates and nitrates down and the problem will cease. Use a phosphate reactor (PhosBan) and/or Phosphat-E (as a bandaid). The reactor will keep phosphates at bay consistently.

For nitrates, a coil denitrator or refugium would do. I use both.

+1

Phosphates, silicates and nitrates are where you want to begin testing. Whater changes to reduce all three, RO/DI, feed properly. Water flow is key, someone said to suck it out - you can do that or ust blast it, you described small amounts....shouldn't be a concern once you address the cause, but for arguement sakes just suck it out.

A good potein skimmer will remove disolved organics in the water which will help reduce/starve out cyano.

A good cleaning crew should be in there to eat up the detritus and also helps to keep things mixed up - if cyano can't hold on it won't grow (remember the part about good flow)

A refugium is a great idea - I am not sure that I would use both a coil denitrator and a refugium, but I have no experiance since i never did this - so P-john might be on to something. I would have guessed the two would work against each other as there are only so much excess nutrients to go around.

Anyway, I am about to get on a plane and go scuba diving so I won't be around till perhaps tonight...keep your conversation going and others will speak up to help you resolve your nutrients problem. I wish you luck !!

LrgTime · 07-06-2009, 12:36 AM

Alright, i have cut off the lights for a few days now and the growth is limited. I turned the lights on for maybe 1 hour today when feeding and to do a little glass cleaning. The flow in the tank is to say the least excessive, 2 hydor (1) #3 and (1) #2. I feel that the problem lies in the phosphates, and i am going to LFS tomorrow to have my water tested.

On a lighter note, one of my Staghorn crabs have left its coral shell and is now running around the tank in a small hermit shell. Those guys are awesome, highly reccomend to anyone!

Update* i now see a TINY patch of green hair algae, it is on the powerhead. I dont know if these two algae are linked but i thought i should let everyone know whats goin on.

07-03-2009, 07:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
LrgTime Astrea Snail Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Huntington Beach Age: 23 Posts: 73 Skin: Classic Karma: 872	Red slime growing on my sand and powerheads Was wondering if i should try and extract these patches of red slime algae, they are still really small and when i turn the lights off it almost disapears by the morning. Can take pic if needed _________ 54g Bowfront / 2 Coralife PC Retrofit / Fluval 305 / AquaC Remora w/ Maxi 1200 2 Damsel / 1 Mandarin /1 Yellow Tang /1 Coral Banded Shrimp / 2 Pepperment Shrimp / 1 Staghorn Crab

07-03-2009, 07:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Crimson Ghost King of somewhere hot Join Date: Nov 2008 Age: 41 Posts: 707 Skin: Mint Karma: 13606	you can blast it with a turkey baster - ave you identified and resolved the cause ? _________ I'm growing older but not up, my metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck. JB

07-03-2009, 07:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
reefer Bob Bubble Tip Anemone Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tampa Posts: 696 Skin: Mint Karma: 1605	if you are goin to disturb it you had better suck it out of the tank. _________ 85g oceanic hex tank, sump, chiller http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/j...%20hex%20tank/ 265g perfecto, sump, chiller, New setup, http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj238/rbs68cgr/265g/

07-03-2009, 09:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
greysoul Johnny Hammersticks Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Albuquerque Age: 30 Posts: 607 Skin: Mint Karma: 5446	whatever you do do NOT end up mixing it into the sand bed, it will just comer back stronger...I started off where you're at and now if I remove it all it's back in 6-8 hours. dread the stuff... got a phosban reactor running now, we'll see if that helps. Next up is Red Slime Control. _________ _{Hardware: 58g DT, 20g fuge/sump Ehiem 1260, 55# live rock, live sand bed, 2x150 15kK HQI, Vortech MP40w, Pinpoint pH monitor. Livestock: 2 A. Ocellaris, 20+ hermits, 1 skunk cleaner shrimp, 2 Zebra Turbo, 20+ Nassarius, 1 bumblebee snail, 2 Green Chromis, 1 sand sifter star, 1 tiger tail cuke Corals: 6 zoa rocks, Pulsing Xenia, 2x Acropora, GSP, mushroom/button polyps, Frogspawn, leathers, ... Born 4/20/09}

07-03-2009, 09:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
jhawkor Gigas Clam Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Garden Plain, Kansas Age: 17 Posts: 879 Skin: Mint Karma: 5063	I have this stuff all over my refugium but none in my DT (knocks on wood). _________ -Landon- SPS Dominated 75 Gallon Angelfishes and I go together like peanut butter and jelly...

07-03-2009, 07:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
LrgTime Astrea Snail Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Huntington Beach Age: 23 Posts: 73 Skin: Classic Karma: 872	awesome idea, and no i have not identified the problem as of yet. i was thinking light cycle

07-03-2009, 09:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
mikejrice 3reef Sponsor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,360 Skin: Dark Karma: 32707	I would leave it and focus on fixing the problem. If you remove it theres no way to guage wether or not you really found and fixed the problem. How often do you feed?

07-03-2009, 11:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
PharmrJohn Giant Squid Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Shelton, Washington Age: 46 Posts: 4,595 Skin: Mint Karma: 25954	Nutrient control is key. Get the phosphates and nitrates down and the problem will cease. Use a phosphate reactor (PhosBan) and/or Phosphat-E (as a bandaid). The reactor will keep phosphates at bay consistently. For nitrates, a coil denitrator or refugium would do. I use both. _________ 90g HW: 20g Sump/Fuge, ETSS PSw/Mag9.5, CPR OF/Rio 2100 RTN, 3K3 1K4 PH's(4200GPH ttl flow), 300W htr, Gnd Prb, Denitrator, Tek 8x54W T5. Fish: Hippo Tang, Hmbg, Y-T, Ylw dmsls, Coral Beauty, 8 Line Wrasse. Inverts: HC, CBS, P-mnt shrmp x2, Sandstar, Sea Apple. CUC: 130 D. Crth/35 F. Crth/30 Lg Nrts/25 Vibex/4 Turbos Corals: Frgspwn x2, Kenya Tree, Doughnut Coral, GSP, Zoas x2, Shroom rocks x2, Lobo Brain, Turbinaria, Mshrm Lthr, Fngr Lthr Other: 145# LR, 1-2" LS DOB 5/7/08 [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

07-06-2009, 12:36 AM	#10 (permalink)
LrgTime Astrea Snail Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Huntington Beach Age: 23 Posts: 73 Skin: Classic Karma: 872	Alright, i have cut off the lights for a few days now and the growth is limited. I turned the lights on for maybe 1 hour today when feeding and to do a little glass cleaning. The flow in the tank is to say the least excessive, 2 hydor (1) #3 and (1) #2. I feel that the problem lies in the phosphates, and i am going to LFS tomorrow to have my water tested. On a lighter note, one of my Staghorn crabs have left its coral shell and is now running around the tank in a small hermit shell. Those guys are awesome, highly reccomend to anyone! Update* i now see a TINY patch of green hair algae, it is on the powerhead. I dont know if these two algae are linked but i thought i should let everyone know whats goin on. Last edited by LrgTime; 07-06-2009 at 12:41 AM. Reason: Update