What eats Red Algae

[cenzo]

I have a 30gal set up with little more then 40lbs of live rock the tank has nothing in it since I set it up five months ago I run a
wet and dry trickle filter and a 96watt PC 1000k I think the light was given to me it about a year old I also run a red sea
skimmer that I just got in the mail a few days ago.

Im thinking the skimmer will help with the Red Algae and a new light and a some carbon from time to time it seems to go away
if I turn the lights out for a few days but it's back within hours I would say seven to be exact my question is will a clean up crew
eat the Red Algae like snails and crabs and will it ever go away?

 

[SnowManSnow]

direct some moderate current to the algae.. increase water changes for a few weeks... and consider getting rid of your wet dry (I'm sure someone else will explain why).

You should be fine.

B.

 

[Len]

I think you're referring to Cyanobactera, aka Red Slime Algae. Not much really eats it. The only two critters I know that does is Tongan Fighting Conches and Dussmeri tangs (which get HUGE so it's out of the question).

You're on the right track with the skimmer and new lights. Often, red algae crops up when the lighting gets old and the spectrum changes. A change of lights will probably have a positive effect. Controlling nutrients with skimmers and carbon also always helps. You may also want to consider dripping kalkwasser ... something that has helped me against cyanobacteria.

 

[Miss Tang]

I think you are talking about Cyano as well, unfortunately it is very efficient at taking over a tank in a short amount of time. Astrea Snails will gladly help clean up.

It generally seems to be caused by excess phosphates and nitrates. As Len mentioned, controlling the nutrients with a skimmer will help.

Increase the flow, use a siphon if you aren't already. RO water might be an option. If it becomes an even bigger problem there is always the option of using chemicals like Maracyn, Red Slime Away etc. I have no experience with these though, so I cannot vouch for their effectiveness either way.

If I were you, this is what I would do (unless you want to go the chemical route right away):
3 day blackout.

I have heard success with this method. Siphon as much of the Cyano out of the tank as possible. Follow this with a very large water change (perhaps even in the range of 50%).

After this you need to block out the light entering the tank as much as possible. No light can enter. Cover it with trashbags everywhere, including the hood. When you think it is covered, cover it more!

Double check by turning on the tank lights. Can you see it even a little bit? This is especially important because it will survive if it has access to the smallest hint of light. Do not let any light enter the room if possible.

Now to wait 72 hours. This should take care of it, but if it does not, I would seriously consider Maracyn. That should knock it right out, but if you are like me, you'd prefer seeing if you could take care of it without medication first.

But I wouldn't hesitate to use it at all if the blackout method proves unsuccessful.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[cenzo]

Thanks for all your help will try and get back to you...

 

[bergamer]

how does 72 hours of no light effect corals?

 

[Jolieve]

About the wet/dry filter.. if you don't rinse the media once a week, the media in the filter will become a nitrate factory. Very bad for saltwater systems.

J.