cyano

WaterLogged · #1 06-01-2006, 03:56 PM

I am battling red slime these days. My tank is only 6 months old. I've been told many things. To leave it alone and it will use up all the nutrients and die off. To turn off the lights and kill its food sourse. To not overfeed.

My nitrates are at 5 ppm and my phosphates are undetectable with Hagen test kit. So there could be a little bit but nothing to strain about.

I chose the wait it out method. Since im not getting any company for a while. And I like the fact that even though its ugly and bad it is using up its nutrients. My question is that there are a ton of bubbles starting to form undeneath the red slime. Are these bubbles bad for the tank? Should I be doing something else, like maybe trying to suck it out. I have a fine dsb 4" and I dont really want to disturb the sand too much, or accidently suck a whole bunch up. I do top off with Ro water now (since 2 weeks ago).

Are there any critters than eat red slime algae?

Any suggestions, flames, comments would be great

Mark

TheReefGeek · #2 06-01-2006, 04:00 PM

I would be sucking out the red slime whenever you see it, and that would remove the bubbles too.

If your tank is 6 months old, just let it run its course. You could lower your feedings and lessen your light cycle for a while if it is really troubling you, or invading corals.

You could also add a UV sterilizer.

How long have you had it for? If it is just a while, wait it out for a bit.

SJSobczyk · #3 06-01-2006, 04:17 PM

I would recommend adding a UV or overskimming the tank. Sorry i didnt see what kind of skimmer you had?

Steve

WaterLogged · #4 06-01-2006, 04:25 PM

My skimmer is a prizm pro deluxe. It is rated for 150 gal, but im pretty sure its too small for my tank. I am getting a sump and a reciculating skimmer, in july. It's been building up for a good 2 weeks i would say.

TheReefGeek · #5 06-01-2006, 04:38 PM

How big is your tank? The prizm is a weak skimmer IME, likely a contributing factor to your cyano.

howdy20012002 · #6 06-01-2006, 04:40 PM

I have been told that cerith and black turbo snails will eat the cyano..just so you know.
I have a tank that is set up for about a month and a half and I am having the same problems.
I am also getting a large crust of crap(not sure what it is) on top of the sand bed.
I have been just sucking it up and trying to see if that works.
It looks like crap and I don't know what else to do.
Once again, outsmarted by a micro-organism.
Neal

SJSobczyk · #7 06-01-2006, 04:41 PM

Keep vacuuming out the red slime and keep up with RO water changes. Watch out how much and frequently you are feeding. Make sure you rinse the frozen food in RO before you feed (if you are feeding frozen). Try and only feed every second or third day. Make sure you overskim the tank, even if it is pulling out some tea coloured water.

Let us know how it goes!

Steve

DEAD_BY_DAWN · #8 06-01-2006, 04:49 PM

chemi clean is the answer for you it's quick simple and works great and costs less than $20.00.
I have used it many times on customers reefs etc and never had any problems,
also agreed the prizm is a weak skimmer,might want to think about upgrading in the future.

WaterLogged · #9 06-01-2006, 04:53 PM

Thanks all for the quick reply's. I'll try everything to get this under control. This chemi clean..... is that just a quick fix? I know my skimmer isn't that great, I am upgrading soon. Sorry for all the questions but what would be the purpose of rinsing the frozen food?

Thanks again

Mark

TheReefGeek · #10 06-01-2006, 04:59 PM

The purpose of rinsing out the frozen food is to get rid of the excess nutrients in the frozen water/juice that would otherwise end up in your tank.

Your choice on chemi clean, I prefer to get rid of the cause, it is just a quick fix, it will come back. But some people get rid of the cause as well, and use it to make their tank nicer in the meantime. I just dont like adding chemicals to my reef.

How big is your tank? What is your stock like?