Red Algae

[herpsandreefs]

What is this and how can i get rid of it? I changed my sandbed from playsand (very bad move) to agronite live reef sand about three weeks ago. This has come up and I'd like to get rid of it. Is it dangerous to corals? Any ID and help on how to get rid of it would be appreciated.

Chris

 

[DK]

There are so many things that can contribute to this. I would siphon the top layer, rinse the sand until the water is clear and return it to the tank. To attack the source, reduce phosphate or just let the Cyano run its course. Eventually, it will use up the nutrients that allow it to grow.........unless you are adding (phosphate) nutrienits to the tank. You might also want to test the argonite to see if it is releasing phosphate. Good luck.

 

[Anonymous]

Go here...... http://saltaquarium.about.com/sitesearc ... 770&type=1

Do a search for Diatoms.

 

[Anonymous]

Well basically browns/reds in new tanks or tank with new changes, generally turn to green as more and more nitrates are in the system.

To me the best way of handling this is with plant life like macros or true marine plants. With the shift to live sand you may have a bump up in nutrients from die off in the live sand.

The new plant life is reacting to an increase in nutrients and therefore probably helping the corals.
From what i hear, there is a very sight possibility it is reducing nutrients for the corals but probably not enough to affect their growth.

Bob

 

[Garry thomas]

Basically it is cyano bacteria. It is caused by a blend of excess nutriants and will settle in low flow area's. improve husbandry and flow. A good cure is KMNO4 pottasium permanganate Kent retail this stuff as poly ox. It is very good but also very dangerous. All instructions must be followed exactly. You then syphon out the cyano.

 

[Anonymous]

Gary is right. That is cyanobacteria.

It grows over areas that have:

1. too little flow.

2. excess nutrients, without proper exports.

3. a DSB(Dead Sand Bed)or lack of critters in your DSB.

4. lack of RO/DI for makeup and water changes.


It is a new sand bed that needs to be seeded with critters. You need small worms/pods/bacteria and the like, which are not present in the new sand. Your old silica sand probably had a good population of critters.

You will need to seed the new sand bed. In the meantime, you will need to syphon the cyano and add some snails like a tiger conch, that will clean the sand.

 

[Anonymous]

I use a Fighting Conch, Turbo Snails,Coral Banded Shrimp,and a Starfish. works pretty good but I occasionally get an attack of red slime. I just let it run its course..... once the nutrients are eatin up everything "cleans up". Do not change your lighting period. It is only a temporary fix and the crap will come right back.

 

[herpsandreefs]

I bought a trademark (forget the exact name) live reef sand with water in it (10 LB $29!) to seed the plain, dry reef sand of the same trademark I bought with it that day. The reason I changed was because there were air bubles forming in the sand and it was clumping, along with probably releasing silicas in my water. I did use tap water though, is my mistake reversable? It sounds like syphoning it out and letting it run its course to drain the rest of the excess nutrients is the best course, hopefully will be putting in small refugium soon as well.
Any ways I could seed it with even more critters, or should I wait until I (possibly) get an Ro/DI system? Also question on Ro/Di units, I'm at school right now, and the dorms don't have potable running water, but on the outside of the cabin there is a water spicket & ball valve with pretty mineralized water. If i could find an Ro/Di unit that could take outside weather, would I be changing the filters every week anyway with the excess minerals/metals. Any advice/product reccommindations greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your help,
Chris :?

 

[Anonymous]

I don't think things are all that bad. Your system is simply generating algae/cyano to consume some nutrients.

Most of your nutirents will come from the livestock you add. The plant life will be there ready to consume those nutrients.

IME cyano (red slime) blooms when there is low nitrAtes. But does go away as phosphates are consumed and/or the greens showup because nitrAtes are present.

If you want to reduce the uglies then simply use plant life you like. Either way, ammonia, nitrAtes, phosphates will never be 0.0 with active livestock, skimming, filtering, and water changes alone.