View Full Version : Dealing with Slime Algae
I have a relatively new set up(aprox. 3 months), and have been using a net to take slime algae off of my live rock and substrate. This doesn't seem to be slowing the growth of the algae, and I'm wondering.......is using a net to scrape slime algae off of the live rock spreading it and making the problem worse?
What else could I do to lessen the spread of slime algae in a new set up? (by the way, I'm also using a siphon when I do water changes)
Blown 346
04/03/2007, 07:32 PM
You arent causing it to grow. Poor water circulation, high phosphates, over feeding, decaying matter, detritus, tap water etc can cause Slime algae. Since your tank is new, it is still going through changes, the algae is one of those stages.
You can cut back on lighting times, increase flow if it is low. What type of water are you using?
I use filtered water for my water changes, and all my levels have been near perfect since set up (pH=8.3, Ammonia=0, Nitrite=0, Nitrate=0, Cal.=480, Alk.=2.0/2.5, PO4=0)
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9640449#post9640449 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blown 346
Since your tank is new, it is still going through changes, the algae is one of those stages.
What can I do to speed up this process? I don't remember having the same problem with the last tank I set up? It doesn't feel like there's any end in sight, and the algae is covering almost everything.
By the way, I have a 55 Gal with a 25 Gal sump, pushing at around 800 Gph. I also have T5 lights runing on timers for a full day cycle (actinic, day-light, lunar).
I would cut back on your photoperiod by 25% until you get it under control, then slowly bring it back up.
Do you mean u have 800gph in ur 55gal display? That is not nearly enough flow IMO. I have 55 that had problems w/ cyanobacteria. I increased my flow up to around 2000gph. Thats about 35 times turn over. Cleared the cyano right away.
uscharalph
04/04/2007, 03:01 PM
I agree to cut back on your lighting
cbeitel
04/04/2007, 08:17 PM
I had cyano in my 10g fuge and all I did was add a small powerhead for additional flow. Cleared it up in just a couple days.
Now I'm battling it in the display. I have been gradually increasing flow through improved plumbing and better powerheads. Each time I improve flow, the cyano is reduced in that area of the tank.
So, I guess you can draw your own conclusions!
I don't think photoperiod has much to do with it. The stuff is a bacteria. It grows in stagnent areas from what I have seen. You could also try red slime remover by Ultralife reef products. I have read success stories with that product. Red slime is easy to blow off rocks/sand ect. so in theory it should not be able to settle down at all with flow directed at trouble spots. JMO
Hmm, I've always found cyano (if that's what it is) grows best in areas of high flow. Cyano goes away at night then re-blooms at some point during the day. If you shut your lights off before the major part of the bloom other organisms (bacteria and algae) will grow and out-compete it. It's simply a matter of getting your tank "balanced".
davidryder
04/04/2007, 11:14 PM
I would spend as much time as possible physically removing the slime. The more colonies of the algae there are the greater in quantity the algae will reproduce. Aside from that, reduced photoperiod, competition (macro algae), increased flow, and DECREASED feeding will all assist in its demise. The feeding cannot be stressed enough. I wouldn't feed more than twice a week. Fish don't eat as frequently in the wild as they do in most aquariums.
clekchau
04/05/2007, 04:14 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9650759#post9650759 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by davidryder
I would spend as much time as possible physically removing the slime. The more colonies of the algae there are the greater in quantity the algae will reproduce. Aside from that, reduced photoperiod, competition (macro algae), increased flow, and DECREASED feeding will all assist in its demise. The feeding cannot be stressed enough. I wouldn't feed more than twice a week. Fish don't eat as frequently in the wild as they do in most aquariums.
i disagree, fish are constantly foraging out in the wild and are fat and happy, you don't see that often in our aquariums. they certainly feed more often than twice a week.
like someone indicated, it's just part of a new tank cycle that will go away, i'm dealing with it now and i have tons of flow, moderate photoperiod etc
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