Red Slime

My 90 gal. Reef/Fish tank has been up and running for about 3 months now. I currently have 2 Ocellaris clowns (juvenile), I Yellow Watchman Goby, 1 Pistol Shrimp, 1 Six Line Wrasse. MY C/U crew consists of 5 Nassarius and 9 Margarita Snails, 1 Emerald and about 7 Blue Legged Hermit Crabs. My problem is this: I noticed red slime algea in my refugium about a month ago and have recently noticed it in my DT. My LFS suggested the Margarita snails to rid my DT of the algea but so far, they have not touched it(slime algea). My water parameters are: Temp= 77-79
PH = 8.3
NH4 = 0
NO2 = 0
NO3 = 0
Phos= 0
SG = 1.024
Ca 2+ = 420
KH = 161
I use a API test kit for the NO 3, Ca2, PO and KH.
My refugium lights have been on 24/7. Any suggestions on how to rid my DT of this algea?

 

Cut back on feedings. Anything you add to the tank as far as nutrients goes needs to be removed. This is done by skimmer, filtering and water changes. What I would do is suck as much out as you can when you do a water change and watch what you feed. IME, I've noticed that raising Alk can help inhibit it's growth too.

 

It may be a flow issue, too much feeding, etc.

What sort of substrate are you using? I used to have bad red slime, but it was due to my skimmer not working properly (needed to be cleaned) and the substrate I was using.

Also, you'll want to check this thread out:
http://www.3reef.com/forums/algae/ultimate-nuisance-algae-thread-58657.html

 

hi John

IME - water movement can make a big difference to red slime/ cyno's ability to survive in the DT
water movement or flow in the fuge is designed to be slow, in order that everything in there has time to perform its tasks (Nutrient removal/ reduction)

whats your flow like in the DT
is the red slime in areas that you would consider as having a lower flow rate than the tank in general (sand bed , lower rock work, etc)

Steve

 

Thanks everyone for the quick response. I had been feeding only once a day due to only having 2 clowns (juvenile) in the tank. However, I added a Yellow Watchman Goby and a pistol shrimp and a Six Line Wrasse a few days ago so I started feeding twice a day what I thought was small amounts. My skimmer seems to be working properly and I emty the cup daily. I have been cleaning the entire skimmer once a month. My sand bed is Aragonite and I have been preforming 5% water changes every two weeks. I use a MP40 for movement. The slime algea is located on the sand bed in what is probably a lower flow area in the tank. My MP40 is located on the right side of the tank and the algea first appeared on the lower far left side of the tank. So, I will bump the Alk., cut back on the amount I'm feeding and when I do my next water change will attempt to suck out the slime algea. I should also say that the algea is located in the one spot in the DT. I first noticed it in the refugium. I think when I moved things around in the fug. I may have caused it to enter the DT. Thanks again everyone for the info/advise.