red slime algae - emergency!

Discussion in 'Algae' started by m_hsiao, Jan 31, 2009.

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  1. m_hsiao

    m_hsiao Purple Spiny Lobster

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    466
    So my brother's 20G 30x12x12 Tank has been hit with quite a bit of red slime algae on the sandbed. It's been happening for over 2 weeks now and water changes have been made, about 10-20% change once every 3-4 days. The water changes are also being made with RO/DI.. the light is a 30" nova extreme 2x39W with mounted legs, so i don't think it's too much lighting that is the problem.. the clean up crew consists of 5 nassarius snails, 10 turbos, 5 hermits.. have tried sifting gobies but they ended up jumping out.. any other way i can help him go about this?
     
    m_hsiao, Jan 31, 2009
    m_hsiao, Jan 31, 2009
    #1

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  2. coral reefer

    coral reefer Giant Squid

    Joined:
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    Wonderland
    Reduce nutrient levels as well as increase water flow to the benthic areas of your tank will help.
     
    coral reefer, Jan 31, 2009
    coral reefer, Jan 31, 2009
    #2
    1 person likes this.
  3. unclejed

    unclejed Whip-Lash Squid

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    Location:
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    For fast removal use Chemiclean.
     
    unclejed, Jan 31, 2009
    unclejed, Jan 31, 2009
    #3
  4. PharmrJohn

    PharmrJohn The Dude

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2008
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    Shelton, Washington
    Dwarf Ceriths and Florida Ceriths are good for cyano. He may want to put a small population in there to take care of things.....or at least keep up with it once this problem is eradicated. Coral Reefer hit it on the head. Attack the root of the problem.
     
    PharmrJohn, Jan 31, 2009
    PharmrJohn, Jan 31, 2009
    #4
    1 person likes this.
  5. swagger87

    swagger87 Zoanthid

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2008
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    Location:
    Taylor, Mi
    How do you find out what the root of the problem is? I have noticed some growth in my tank too. I have good water flow, i only feed my guys about 2x a week, could it be I need new lights? I got my stand and hood from some guy and I'm not sure when he changed the lights last. How long are they usually good for?
     
    swagger87, Feb 4, 2009
    swagger87, Feb 4, 2009
    #5
  6. tigermike74

    tigermike74 Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2008
    Messages:
    2,116
    Location:
    Southern CA
    One thing that is odten neglected is the RO/DI systems themselves. I have seen so many local reefers at my LFS say "but I use RO/DI water" but when I ask "when was the last time you changed the media and tested the TDI" they give me a blank look and say "you mean I have to CHANGE it???"
    I'm not saying this is the case, butit is worth looking into. Make sure your RO/DI is on the up and up, and make sure your DI stage isn't just channeling the water. When my DI stage was doing this, my TDS jumped up from 2ppm to 80ppm. When I topped off the DI stage with more DI media, my TDS dropped back down to 2ppm. I only found out because I was having a recent cyano outbreak. Mine was also due to my fuge being broken and removed from the system, but it made me look into my RO/DI and I saw that.
     
    tigermike74, Feb 4, 2009
    tigermike74, Feb 4, 2009
    #6