Ignorance isn't always bliss! I setup a used tank I got from Bug. Everything was going fine for nearly a month, then BANG! My coralline algae took off like mad! I was so excited. Then I started to notice alot of air bubbles. I thought it was coming from my filter splashing. Man it looked so cool, like nebulas and stuff, so I took some pics. Then everything started dying off except the 'algae'. After a little research, I learned about cyanobacteria aka red slime. A painful lesson learned. And yes, the ship pic as my avatar is the actual Flying Dutchman from the Pirates of the Carribean movies, that I took in Dec of 09 at Castaway Cay.
-- Edited by Deerhunter71 on Saturday 8th of January 2011 01:02:04 PM
First thought, what's changed, something has. Maybe changing the Macro Algae you were using to C. Prolifera, although I saw some hints of red in your tank at the Meeting. Your Tank still looks Great!
As Tarvis hit on, Fish Fecal Matter may feed Cynobacteria with the presence of Silicates or Phosphates. I'm thinking that siphoning off the slime would help in feeding future growth by not recycling the bacteria. Like N02 removal by harvesting macro algae. Cutting the amount of Fish Food could help.
Your lights ARE pretty old now and shifting into the red spectrum feeding unwanted algae.
Also, it may be time to check the RO filter cartriges for replacement. A TDS meter would reveal much. Lowes has a 1/2 Micron Cartridge that's priced nice. Use it in the first cannister.
A reef cleaner that likes poop may be part of your solution (hermits), GARF has a list of what Animals eat red slime.
Maybe lighten up on the Selcon? Whatever nutrients are added will go somewhere, if there's an excess, something unwanted will happen. You could stir up as much Detritus as possible, then remove it with a Brine Shrimp Net.
I've been reading about the use of Organic Carbon (Vodka)as a beneficial bacteria booster. The results are looking very good in ALL directions. The process drops Nitrate and Phosphate naturally using the bacteria in the system. I'll send an Email with a word document on this....
*Be careful to use Carbon that (will not) leach Phosphates back into the system, Most carbon products will. Do your research on this.
-- Edited by Monty on Tuesday 17th of March 2009 07:30:37 AM
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It is said that the Red Nightmare is caused from Phosphates and Silicates in the water column. But it is not that simple. We have seen cases develop from Old Bulbs or a Lack Of Good Water Flow .. but we have never seen that the addition of a correction of these two "causes" ever made the Cyano go away.
In fact, we had two cases of outbreak where the systems were absent of Phosphates and Silicates, they also had new Halides, Actinic's and Great Water Flow. What was surely something to think about was the fact that we had switched to a new Flake Food. Another factor is that we have never had an outbreak unless the system housed FISH ... and they were being FED
they also say fading lights silicates and phosphates cause them but 1 thing shouldnt cause it alone they make a product to get rid of it now dont know how well it works good flow alone wont prevent it
Monty you comented on the flow in my tank the other day about how good it was I do water chenges so why do I have red algi and how do I get ric of it I thought about tryiing a hang on with phostasorbe and carbon?
