red algae

[professorbadnews]

since i had a pretty big toastool die in my 30 gallon, a red algae has grown on my sand. what can i do to remove it? i will try to post a picture.

thanks

joe

 

[MadReefer]

Try siphoning with an air hose. That will at least remove it from the sand some what.

 

[camz28]

or you can get the red slime power and do a dose and it will gone .

 

[KennyZush]

I am fighting the same thing right now due to my lack of skimming...

I have been down this road before and when I am able to reduce the extra nutrents it goes away on its own.

Kenny

 

[DaveK]

The control of red algae or any other algae all depends upon control of nutrients, mostly nitrate and phosphate. Unless you control these, you are going to have algae problems.

Just because your test kits reads zero or a very low value, don not think that there is no problem. Nitrate and phosphate can exist in and on the live rock itself.

I'm not a big fan of red slime removers. Yes, they do work, unless you fix the underlying problem, all you do is change the problem algae color from red to green or brown.

 

[Carlo]

Basically in a nut shell if you have algae growing you have both a nitrogen source (ammonia/nitrite/nitrates) AND have phosphates in the tank. The problem with testing for it is that the algae WILL use it up as fast as it's being introduced into the tank. Since the algae is using it up quickly there isn't anything left to test for.

So if you have algae you have an excess nutrient problem.

Carlo

 

[depitch039]

I agree.

You need to siphon the sand with a python or similar device and blow red algae off rock with a bulb syringe/turkey baster.

Increase the frequency of water changes and decrease feedings, this should help.

Doug