Problem??

[Steve'o]

Hi , need some advice here .. have been getting a lot of red algae the last little while covering my sand bottom...
Anything I can do?
Here is a pic?
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

Thanks Steve'o

[sphelps]

Cyano,

remove it manually or treat with a chemical, most stores carry it, usually called red slime remover or something along those lines. If you use the chemical still remove as much as possible manually, then treat and preform large water change within 24-48 hours.

[Bblinks]

+1 on cyano.

[Diana]

Its Cyanobacteria, an ancient and very resilient organism. Usually grows in aquariums with high nutrients, excess lighting and low flow (although I have seen it in higher flow areas).

I suggest as previously stated, remove as much manually with a siphon tube and then treat with Chemi Clean (follow waterchange directions).

To help curb future outbreaks remove more nutrients and waste, feed less, add more corals, add more flow, or reduce photoperiod. (Or combo thereof). It looks like you have slightly coarse sand? If you can safely gravel vac it that might help (it growing on the sand indicates that is where your nutrients are trapped). Sometimes you just get a stubborn batch that refuses to go away.

HTH
-Diana

[viperfish]

Originally Posted by Diana

Its Cyanobacteria, an ancient and very resilient organism. Usually grows in aquariums with high nutrients, excess lighting and low flow (although I have seen it in higher flow areas).

I suggest as previously stated, remove as much manually with a siphon tube and then treat with Chemi Clean (follow waterchange directions).

To help curb future outbreaks remove more nutrients and waste, feed less, add more corals, add more flow, or reduce photoperiod. (Or combo thereof). It looks like you have slightly coarse sand? If you can safely gravel vac it that might help (it growing on the sand indicates that is where your nutrients are trapped). Sometimes you just get a stubborn batch that refuses to go away.

HTH
-Diana

Just one thing, excess lighting does not cause cyano to grow. Worn bulbs will, or some other abrupt change in the spectral output of the bulbs, but most always in conjunction with high nutrients.

If you do use Chemiclean or a similar product, there is a little caveat, you have to shut your skimmer and carbon down while treating. Just something to keep in mind, especially if you have a high bioload in your tank. I have used it in the past and here's my thinking, you have to do a large waterchange at the end of the Chemiclean treatment anyway so why not just do the large water change to vacuum the gravel and siphon the Cyano off the rocks without adding the chemical at all. Even after the treatment it takes a few days to be able to run the skimmer, all together you're looking at about 2 days without carbon and 4 to five days without a skimmer, and all the while nutrients are building up in your tank, which is what caused the outbreak in the first place.

[Diana]

Very rarely does cyanobacteria run rampant in aquariums with ample organisms utilizing the available light. If you are running an aquarium with few corals and are finding you are getting repeat algae and cyanobacteria problems, consider toying with your photoperiod or increasing your coral load as a long-term remedy. Excess light (note: did not say HIGH light) in combination with nutrient issues will cause algae (and often cyano) problems.

medhatreefguy did make a point I forgot, which is to change your bulbs if they are old... as this will help too .

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Cyano,

remove it manually or treat with a chemical, most stores carry it, usually called red slime remover or something along those lines. If you use the chemical still remove as much as possible manually, then treat and preform large water change within 24-48 hours.

+1 right there, excess nutrients is usually the cause or decaying matter.i would remove what you can with a turkey baster and then increase your flow by pointing a powerhead at your sandbed.water changes will help reduce your nutrients and red slime remover will get it gone but if you dont lower your nutrients it will just return.cyano on sandbeds tends to mat pretty bad and a turkey baster will suck it up in one shot.


clean water and no dead spots is the key along with removing something that dies the minute you notice it

[reefwars]

if you do use red slime remover read up on it as its not always safe in the wrong hands, you will need to keep your skimmer running or possibly over flowing or run an air stone as it depletes oxygen during the night time cheers