Red Algae

[rtowery]

I have a problem in my saltwater tank...there is red algae growing and I can't seem to get rid of it. The water "tests fine"...any suggestions?

The tank is a reef, well established for over 2 years. I have only a few fish...1 clown, a Royal Groma(sp?), and 2 damsels. There is a red mushroom on one rock and a couple very small frog spawns. Everything else is covered in this red stuff. I do water changes weekly...5%...and syphon the red stuff off the sand. It comes back very quickly. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! :confuzeld:

[RichardB]

I have a problem in my saltwater tank...there is red algae growing and I can't seem to get rid of it. The water "tests fine"...any suggestions?

The tank is a reef, well established for over 2 years. I have only a few fish...1 clown, a Royal Groma(sp?), and 2 damsels. There is a red mushroom on one rock and a couple very small frog spawns. Everything else is covered in this red stuff. I do water changes weekly...5%...and syphon the red stuff off the sand. It comes back very quickly. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! :confuzeld:
how big is the tank? do you use tap water? do you overfeed your fish? you asked for advice and here i gave you 3 more questions :p

[OOwl]

Slimy red algae or filamentous? If slimy, you might want to change your bulbs. When I used PC lighting, the rust-colored algae on the sand used to mean the color spectrum had shifted and it was time for new bulbs.

You also might want to check the RO unit you use to make saltwater (or buy). It might be time for a new membrane.

Good luck.

[Erniec]

Slimy red algae or filamentous? If slimy, you might want to change your bulbs. When I used PC lighting, the rust-colored algae on the sand used to mean the color spectrum had shifted and it was time for new bulbs.

You also might want to check the RO unit you use to make saltwater (or buy). It might be time for a new membrane.

Good luck.

is that the same for FW tanks ?

[Typical Tony]

sounds like red slime, up the w/c to 15% and feed less often, also lessen the amount of light time as well.

[jello]

wouldnt hurt to up the flow a little too, it wont get rid of it but will help hold it back from spreading.

if worse comes to worse, get you some chemiclean, stuff works great. and wont hurt your corals or fish.

[Joe Reborn]

Ya like Jello says if it gets out of hand you can always use Chemiclean or Red Slime Remover. I have a pack of Red Slime Remover i used once and it whiped it out. But if you do use this make sure you get the source if not it will come back.

[rtowery]

how big is the tank? do you use tap water? do you overfeed your fish? you asked for advice and here i gave you 3 more questions :p

The tank is 55 gallons...I use water from Dallas North Aquarium...I feed my fish once every other day...frozen brine shrimp...it is gone almost immediately after I put it in the tank...

rtowery added 2 Minutes and 44 Seconds later...

Thanks to all y'all...I have some home work to do!

[erock]

All I have to say is best of luck and hope it clears up for you. The advice above is pretty typical advice but in my experience red algae is a beast so I hope you are able to get it under control. The good news is that as long as it isn't growing on your coral then it is pretty harmless, just ugly.