funky smell/red algae

[meinkfr]

I was just performing a water change on my 55 gal. We just installed a CustomSeaLife Moonlite Fixture total output 230watts. I have noticed an outbreak of red/brown algae. The tank is doing alright quality checks out good. Could the algae be causing a funky oder? What is the best way of dealing wihthe outbreak? It is not that bad yet but I would like to take care of it before it gets out of hand.

50lbs. LR
Seaclone skimmer
400 Emperor
505 Powerhead
5 schooling chromis
1 yellow tang
1 tomato clown(added 3 days ago)
1 algae blenni(added 3 days ago)
2 emerald crabs
1 banded shrimp
7 Hermit crabs
7 turbo snails
1 pencil urchin
small yellow polyp colony
green mushrooms
open brain coral

The tank has been up since August. We have slowly been stocking since end of October. We will not be adding more fish, but would like to start adding frags if I can get this under control.

We do weekly water changes of 10%. Add 7 drops of iodine every day and add strontium mix ivery 4 days.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Dubge]

I just upgraded my lights and got the brown algae, I was told it is broght on by the more intense lights and will go away in time. Not sure about the smell?

Ray

 

[ChrisRD]

Sounds like cyano. How much skimmate is your SeaClone producing? What sort of substrate is in the tank (and how deep)?

Are you sure the odor is coming from the tank? Could it be from the new light fixture burning-in?

 

[meinkfr]

I have about 2 inches of crushed coral. The light doesn't smell at all. The smell is not as strong since I have done a water change. A friend came over yesterday and did a phosphate test and it showed to be a bit high. Could this have caused the probem with the algae and smell? Skimmer fills about a third within 10 to 12 days.
What is cyano?

 

[Anonymous]

cyano is a brownish bacterial culture that grows on your tank. it's the brown "algae" that first coated your sand and rocks when you started up the tank. it's a nitrate eater, i think.

 

[ChrisRD]

Are you vacuuming the crushed coral when you do water changes? If not, I'd start making it a regular part of your maintenance.

Doesn't sound like your skimmer is producing much (which isn't surprising as the SeaClone is notorious for this).

IMO you've got cyano because you either don't have enough circulation and/or your skimmer isn't pulling enough from your water. A build-up of crud in the crushed coral could also be contributing.

Also, keep in mind that most new tanks see a cyano bloom at some point. If you keep your water quality up it should pass in time.

HTH

 

[ChrisRD]

BTW, I'm still unsure on the odor thing. I've never had any smells coming from a tank unless I was curing live rock or the skimmer hadn't been cleaned out in a while...

 

[meinkfr]

Thanks for the help/advice. I do believe circulation maybe something that needs to be addressed. MAybe another powerhead. I have never vaccumed the substrate but will start doing so. It doesn't appear that many people care for the Seaclone Skimmer. Why is that? Poor quality? Doesn't perform good? I have a friend who bought one and he swears by it. What would be a good replacement for the skimmer.
Again thanks for the help.

 

[JohnD]

For your tank size, you may want to consider a Remora or a Remora Pro skimmer. I have a Remora on my 30 gallon and am happy with it.

As Chris and others have said, Seaclone does not have the best reputation.

 

[Anonymous]

yeah. many ppl here recommended the remora to me. i go the hang on tank remora with the good pump (maxijet). i think it's the pro model. works very well - if you get the hang-on tank kind be sure to buy the surface skimmer/prefilter deal. it's only like $12 or $24 extra, but makes all the difference.

 

[meinkfr]

Thanks again. It's the little things that count.

 

[meinkfr]

total output is 260 watts. half actinic and half 10K.
Can you elaborate on diatoms? what are they? It is hard do tell wether it is red or brown, but it is somewhat slimy.

 

[Titan Trigger]

Hi,

I recommend giving this a try:

http://www.algone.com/

It does work. I have tried it myself. However, it is not consistent and cost effective because you have to keep buying them. Just buy more snails!

TT

 

[meinkfr]

have been out of town for a couple of days. Titan Trigger recomends more snails. What else inclding this is a viable option to get rid of this stuff. It is not dusty so it must be cyano.The stuff looks gross. Am starting a water change regimen every two days of 10%. I came home after being gone for three days and the tank was a disaster. Took two hours this morning to get it to look better. Help!!

 

[ChrisRD]

The only hermits I've ever seen eat red slime are these guys: Baja Red Leg Hermits

And to a lesser extent: Baja Snails

That said, I would not recommend loading up the tank with inverts to solve the problem. A few to help out would make sense, but don't throw too many critters at a temporary problem. You'll have them in your tank long after the problem is gone (adding bioload and possibly starving to death).

IMO/IME, cyano is something that will vanish on it's own if you keep circulation up and water quality high (ie. good skimming, feed lightly, vacuum that crushed coral, keep up water changes, etc.)