Red slime treatment...

[EOD]

I was just realizing after treating my tank for Cyano bacteria with Red Slime remover I noticed my PH level went from 8/40 to 8/50 with lights on....and i dont see anymore copods at night in the rocks...could they have died off???I did do water changes and turned on my GFO&Carbon reactors again..Any info would help at this point....:thanks:

 

[acolaojr]

I just did the same about a week ago. Noticed copod population slightly smaller then usual but they are back after a week. Make sure you run the airstones as was urged to me by another member. It helps oxygenate the tank from all the dying cyano. I am no pro but all went well. Skimmer goes nuts for about 5 days. You will need to shut if off.

 

[EOD]

So far all my corals look great but there is a patch of cyano coming back on the right side of my sandbed I will try the red slime remover but this time I will keep the skimmer off,,,<<<<

 

[sun1914]

I'm thinking of going that route as well, I tried 3 days of darkness, while still running skimmer and biopellet reactor. also did a large water change after turning lights back on and cyano is growing right back on my rocks again. Nothing ever grows on my sand bed but can't seem to keep it off the rocks.

 

[Fasthackem]

Ditch the BioPellets for Rowaphos. Phosphate is your root problem.

 

[sun1914]

Ditch the BioPellets for Rowaphos. Phosphate is your root problem.

Rowaphos!!! I'm on it. Now just have to find it.

Sent from my HTCONE using Reefs

 

[Fasthackem]

Do you have a phosphate tester? What's it saying? How are you replenishing your evaporation?
Aree you using an RO/DI filter system for ewvep and water changes?

 

[sun1914]

Def using ro/di. I stop testing my tank months ago.

Sent from my HTCONE using Reefs

 

[sgdcover]

I battled with this for months and once in a while a small amount still pops up, usually on the sand bed (4" depth). I tried the slime remover and I wouldn't recommend it. It DOES work, but after I used it for the second time, my livestock didn't look "right". They just weren't as active or colorful and their growth seemed to slow down. I guess it's always a risk when you introduce any chemicals into a tank. I'm far from an expert, so take my advice with care, but it did work.

This is how I beat it in this order of priority:

- I prepared a couple of gallons of salt water and everyday I'd use a toothbrush attached to a small airline tube siphoning water and sucked up any cyano growth. I had the water ready to top off. Sometimes I'd do this 3 times a day because I always missed a small amount
- Found a rock area where the cyano grew fast, but was easy to siphon out. I "harvested" this patch. Siphoned. let it grow back, siphoned again.
- Dosed Vodka
- Made sure PH was on the high side
- Dropped Phosphates as low as I could
- Stopped all coral feeding and reduced fish feedings to minimum that would keep happy fish
- Siphoned off the top layer of sand, rinsed thoroughly allowed to dry and then returned to the tank (I now keep doing this with every water change)

My theory is this: everyone says it's phosphates. I'll argue it's phosphates and a specific type of suspended organic material that feeds the slime. Once enough of the slime has eaten the organic material, it will stop growing.

Best of luck!

 

[acolaojr]

I read somewhere that the slime will create its own nutrients to keep growing once it has a good foothold. I also read that the more water changes the worst because you are adding more nutrients to help it grow.

 

[sgdcover]

I've heard that idea before. I may be oversimplifying, but my common sense tells me that it's not likely. Here's why:

1. Tanks go without the problem. Sometimes never, sometimes recurring and getting out of control, sometimes recurring but never a big problem. I've seen beautiful, large and established tanks with one little spot of slime that never goes away
2. The bacteria that creates cyano is always present in the water. That's why established tanks that have never had it may get it even if nothing new has been introduced to the tank
3. If there is an organism that can create more sustenance as it feeds than it consumes, we'd be in big trouble. That's like saying we can create an energy plant that runs on electricity, but creates more power than it needs. ( I realize that may be possible in the future, but play along)

What does this all tell me? It's very unlikely, because if it did do that every tank everywhere would be covered by it.

I'm no biologist, and again I may be oversimplifying, but I don't see how that's possible.

 

[EOD]

OK Guys here we go again I added the slime remover and turned off skimmer and reactors on my 250gal set up I will check phosphates with API test kits along with all water perimeters I also added an airline to my mp40 for bubbles my ph went crazy at first from8/37 to 8/85 now it's at 8/02 after 2 hrs..

 

[acolaojr]

Make sure you have a lot of air stones

 

[richiero]

lights out for 3 days along with dr tims refresh and waste a way worked for me. dont let any light in at all cover with a blanket also, noting in over a year.

 

[nyshoots]

Ive used KZ cyanoclean with good results and dose weekly as a preventive measure. Its a bacteria that out competes the red slime and as far as i can tell so far has no side affects.

 

[sgdcover]

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

 

[fishdeals]

As mentioned previously, use Rowaphos (or chemi pure elite which contains Rowaphos) and do a large water change, making sure to use only RO or distilled water because unwanted nutrients are possibly being introduced through tap water (depending on your water source). These steps will reduce the chances of the cyano bacteria having a sufficient nutrient source to grow. It have worked for me in the past so good luck.

 

[fishdeals]

Another tip that i left out; if the red slime seems to be concentrated on the sand bed more then the rock then it could also indicate some dead spots or a lack of water circulation in that area. I suggest putting a small power-head or pump in a strategic location in your tank as this will cause the cyano bacteria to have a much harder time taking root in your aquarium. Using any chemicals such as azithromycin should always be a last resort.

 

[EOD]

OK guys my cyano is gone for now and so is my Tomi-Tang...all other fish and corals are looking great,It;s been four days since I treated and I was just wondering if I should turn my skimmer back on?I just made 30gal, of water for a water change also...Thanx again reefers,,,,