Rock Anenomes, Red Slime Algae, and What to Do

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by Subrad5446, Nov 24, 2013.

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  1. Subrad5446

    Subrad5446 Plankton

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2013
    Messages:
    15
    Once of my aquariums is a 29 gallon biocube. I am having a red slime algae problem. I have a couple of questions of the proper steps to take to solve the issue.
    Ok, so the inhabitants of this tank are:
    8 Rock(Flower)Anenomes
    2 Mandarin Gobies
    1 Rose Bubble Tip
    1 Rainbow Bubble Tip
    2 Sumarian Maroon Clowns
    2 Feather Dusters
    4 Cocoa Worms
    1 Greek Goddess Nudi
    1 Pink Cucumber
    1 Orange Brittle Starfish
    1 Sun Coral with about 15 heads
    CUC is blue leg hermits and astrea snails

    The Equiptmetn is
    Stock Lighting w/ led moonlight upgrade
    1 Coralife Biocube Protein Skimmer
    1 Coralife Biocube UV sterilizer
    1 250 GPH Pump (came with the cube)
    1 250 gph powerhead in the tank
    Media is live rock, and I have filter floss over top
    No carbon

    The tank has been up for 7 months and had inhabitants for 6 months. I just started having problems about 2 months ago. I feed:
    Every Day-5mL of Coral Smoothie, a few(5-10) pellets for the clowns. I take a 20 oz bottle and cut the bottom off, then place it over the sun coral and squirt the coral smoothie. Leave it there for 30 minutes, then I remove the bottle and squirt water around the coral to scatter the leftovers.
    Monday and Thursday-normal feeding, plus a 1/4 teaspoon each of goni power, zooplankton powder, and phytoplankton mixed with prawn eggs and 1 cap coral smoothie. I mix this in a cup with tank water, then pour it in front of the powerhead. Unplug skimmer and pump, let sit for 30, then turn back on.
    I also randomly feed the nems meaty foods about once every two weeks.
    Lighting-8 hours a day

    NOW-I'm of the opinion that
    1. 8 hours is too long for lighting
    2. I should bump monday and thursdays feeding down to monday
    3. I may have too large a bioload because of the 8 flower nems.

    My main questions are.....am I correct with number 3?
    and
    how do I lower the length of lighting without negatively affecting my nems?
    I understand they need a lot of light. I have lost 2 bubble tips, but I think that is becasue of the water quality not lighting. I would like to drop down to 6 hours, but I fear that 6 hours of stock lighting may not be sufficient.....lets hear it guys!
    Thanks!
    Matt
     
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  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

    Joined:
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    Messages:
    19,652
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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Hi Matt, I would really like to see the tank.

    You're logic as to the reason for the chronic cyanobacteria seems sound. Too many nutrients in such a small volume of water. You do feed a lot for that size of tank. The anemones and mandarins probably love it (sun coral too) but the balance is too delicate.

    Your valid options as I see them are

    1. Larger tank
    2. Carbon dosing/or bio-pellets.
    3. Algae turf scrubber

    The type of live stock you acquired requires larger more frequent concentrations of food.
     
  4. Subrad5446

    Subrad5446 Plankton

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2013
    Messages:
    15
    No prob!!! Heres some pics.

    So it's doable? What are algae turf scrubbers?
    Unfortuneately, a larger aquarium is out of the question. My girlfriend would absolutely die. I have four, 2 30's and 2 90's, plus two hospital. Not happening :)
    Thanks for your input!!!
     

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  5. Subrad5446

    Subrad5446 Plankton

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2013
    Messages:
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    I can't figure out how to upload a zip.
     

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  6. Subrad5446

    Subrad5446 Plankton

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2013
    Messages:
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    And what are bio pellets? And, is it possible to drop the lighting down to 6 hours?
     

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