red algae?

[Virgil Ann Maderich]

I have had a 20 gal via aqua aquarium with a 10 gal sump

set up for about 9 months.

I have had a scarlet algae (I guess it's algae) spread over

my tank. It is covering most of the live rock and has started

to creep up on my yellow pollyps. It has also begun to

appear on some caulerpa and grape algae (I think that's

what it is called). It doesn't seem to be affecting my fish

(a jawfish, rainford gobie, and a mandarin fish and seahorse).

My pH has been 8.2. My alkalinity has been on the high

side as has my calcium (I don't know the exact numbers at the moment). I light the tank for 12 hours a day

(which may be part of the problem). I do have a couple of

turbo snails and other little critters . I believe it is a form

of hair algae as it comes off in strips and appears hairlike

once removed.

If it is a type of hair algae, is there anything that eats it or

can I control it with some other natural remedy?

[ReefDiver]

It sounds like you have cyanobacteria. It can be difficult

to rid from an aquarium, I've been battling it recently. You

should try removing as much as possible with a turkey baster,

perform frequent water changes with RO/DI water (ensure that

the water is free from nitrates or phosphates).

 

I've been changing my water twice per week and removing

any visible cyano with a baster and I seem to be having

good results. Some people have reported good success

removing excess cyano with a baster, disabling surface

skimming and removing charcoal, dosing with freshwater

maracyn (Erythromycin) according to directions on package.

 

I've been trying to go the natural route, but if it keeps up

I might use the maracyn method. Do a search on cyano

here or at reefcentral and you will find all kinds of information.

 

HTH

 

RD

[oldtimer]

Cyanobacteria is encouraged to grow by low current and high nutrients. Increase protein skimming/water changes and add more current to "dead" spots in the tank and it should get under control. Do syphon out any that you can.

[Dolfan0925]

cut down the time you have your white lights on. even though cyano is a bacteria and not an algae, it is photosynthetic and can still thrive even though there is no phosphates/nitrates/organic matter in the tank.

[Virgil Ann Maderich]

After I posted this I went on the internet (which I had many

times is the past) and figured out that it was red slime (cyanobacteria). I'm not sure why I hadn't found it before (duh!).

My lfs suggested unltralife red slime remover. I researched it

on the internet and found that it appears to be affective and

safe. I just treated the tank.

Has anyone had any experience with it?

I would also like to get a few Mexican Hermit Crabs as I've

heard they are good consumers of such nuisance slime. My

only worry is that if I get rid of it, they will starve.

I already faithfully do a 15-20% water change weekly with

RO/DI water. I guess I'm doing something right because I've

had this problem for a few months and it hasn't gotten out

of control.