First sign of "Red Slime"

[omard]

Tonight noticed first sign of "Red Slime" Algae in tank. At least am pretty sure that is what it is...--- two patches growing on rock in high light, low current area of tank. --- low dark red patches of stuff spreading out over rock surface and creeping over some small corals on it...

Quickly got out siphon and sucked up what I could...

Is this a "normal visitation" to a new tank?

Does it go away by itself in time like other algae types?

What can I do to prevent spread?

Thanks for any input.

OmarD

[Craig Manoukian]

How long has your tank been set up? It is not unusual for a tank to go through a green, brown, and red cyano bacteria (red slime algae) stages as it matures. I takes a year or more for a tank to fully balance as it adjusts to changing bioloads.

[inwall75]

Siphoning is good. So is good water turnover and limiting nutrients to the tank. Craig is right. The first couple of months in this hobby can be frustrating. It gets better.

[omard]

Ok...got it...

Contributor to outbreak may have been couple of things...tending to leave lights on too long - (hard to keep off during waking hours )

Also, coincidently noticed much lower skimmer production over last couple of days. Thought was, that it was working fine, and water was just getting cleaner...

But more likely needed cleaning.

Is new...(AquaC Remora) - have had up and running constantly for about 3 weeks now...probably needs some more "routine" maintenance. - Will have to figure out how often for my size tank. (and to what degree of "cleaning" it requires) - weekly/???

Other algae types being kept in check by Tang and other critters...in fact is so little am just now starting to add some "nori" for tang...

Will continue to keep eye out for the red slime stuff, now that I know what to look for.

THX

OmarD

[inwall75]

I have a remora pro. Take the whole collection cup assembly out at least weekly and squirt the whole thing down with a strong jet of water. I go outside and use a hose. Then I use a very soft (not scratchy) paper towel and get all of the gunk off of the collection tube. DON'T USE SOAP!!!

You might see the skimmate drop for a day or so afterwards. This is normal.

I think your are 100% correct on the rest of your post. (And it IS hard to keep the lights off).

[karlas]

red slime yuckk its a nightmare most people go through

1) make sure water flow is good red slime loves those calm and low circulated spots

2) keep doing regular water changes small weekly ones work best just like the hair alge

3) use turkey baster to help keep up on it as you try to get rid of it so its not out of hand

4) a skimmer helps a lot it helps get rid of the nutrients it feeds on

5) got a fuge or refugium get the good alges in there it out compets the bad alges for the nutrients

6) keep lighting updated old lighting changes spectrums and that can become a (greenhouse) for alges you dont want

7) dont let it get to you it can dissapear quickly or like me take a couple of months to finally make it dissapear just keep at it (theres the patience thing again)

check for those phosphates and silicates there alge feeders also

[Cygnus]

I suppose it's the algae in the image you are talking about.

I think the best weapon is patience, this turns up in the start up of the tank and then goes away as the bacteria cultures build up and stabilizes.

[omard]

Welcome Cygnas..

Think you are right. Slime showed up about 3 weeks ago, stayed about for couple of days and have not seen since.

Question - is this only a "rare" visitation to established systems? - I am rather "new" to all this.

Rgds,

OmarD

[Cygnus]

Well I have just started one reef system and it happened to me. But I think it's quite common. Or.. ?

[Craig Manoukian]

Yes quite common and can be brought on by an increase in nitrates, weak lighting (change those bulbs annually), and/or insufficient water circulation.