RED ALGAE

[reef addict]

Hello every1! I'll been combating green algae and now there are some red spot in my sand bed. Not sure if these are consider algae. Are these coraline algae or bloom? I also have some red spot in my sump. Tank's been set up for 7months now. Please help!! Information below.

 

DT: 110GL

SUMP: 25GL, with micro algae

REFUGIUM: 10GL

Dual GFO (Carbon/pillet)

MP40

PH: 2-Gorilla (980 gph)

Skimmer

UV Sterillizer

Stocks: Damsel, Blue pwd tang, hippo tang, 2- clown fish (matted), 2fire fish, hermit crabs, mexican snails, astrea snails, cerith snails.

Corals: Hammer, elegant, green polyps, mushrooms, frogsprawn, lobo.

[Ryan S]

coralline algae doesnt grow on the sand bed. and you wouldn't have diatoms after 7 months, so without a photo, it's most likely red slime algae (also known as cyano).

 

more info:

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=59205

Edited May 25, 2012 by Ryan S

[flooddc]

+1 on cyano.

I had the same problem a while back. Left for vacation, so I use the marine 7 days vacation food (BIG MISTAKE!). Came home, sand bed turned brown and then red algae all over the sand bed.

 

This is how I reduced the red algae in my tank: manually remove as much as u can using gravel cleaner. Do a 10% water change weekly. Cut back your lighting. Get this phosban media http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8996, preferably run it with a phosban reactor.

 

Good luck, be patient it will take some time to get rid of it.

 

[Origami]

Cyanobacteria.

 

Do you run carbon? If not, it may help. What are your water parameters? Do you use RO/DI water to mix up your ASW (artificial salt water)?

 

Also, I see that you have macroalgae in your sump. Is your sump pretty clean? Or do does it become a trap for detritus and other particles that may be held there to decompose?

 

Flow may also be an issue. Cyano will often set up first in areas of low flow.

[reef addict]

Thanks to all! Should you guys recommend to continue to use ALGAEFIX? What about the light, should I leave them off for 48-72 hrs? Below are my H2O parameter. Ya, I don't clean my tank. I have few cleaners to take care of that. Should I clean manually and making sure that is clean? I do use RO/DI and have dual reactor (calcium/pallet). Also I doze it with kalkwaser on my top off.

 

NO3: 0

PO4: 0

PH: 8.4

 

TEMP: 79

[Incredible Corals]

Sounds like Cyno. I just replaced the egg crate in our frag tanks and got a little cyno bloom (totally normal).

 

Just keep up with your water changes, reduce the light cycle and add flow. That along with time and patience will help it go away. If you see it covering corals just blast it off with a turkey baster so the corals don

[Origami]

If you're using AlgaeFix, the cyano may be filling in where green algae is not (no biological competition). Check for and clean out pockets of detritus and siphon away the cyano when you see it. It can take a little while, but you can beat this.

[flooddc]

Thanks to all! Should you guys recommend to continue to use ALGAEFIX? What about the light, should I leave them off for 48-72 hrs? Below are my H2O parameter. Ya, I don't clean my tank. I have few cleaners to take care of that. Should I clean manually and making sure that is clean? I do use RO/DI and have dual reactor (calcium/pallet). Also I doze it with kalkwaser on my top off.

 

NO3: 0

PO4: 0

PH: 8.4

 

TEMP: 79

 

Not sure about ALGAEFIX, never used those algae control chemical in any of my saltwater or freshwater. IMO, they creates more problem down the line. Just, do scheduled water changes (RO/DI water) and deduced you lighting cycle will help.

Like everyone said, be "Patience".

Edited May 25, 2012 by flooddc