Red Algae on Live rock and substrate.

[matrixnyc]

My Nano Reef Tank has a problem with red algae growing on the substrate and over the live rocks. During the day small bubbles formed on the algae, which doesn’t look really great.

Any ideas on how to get rid of this, but more inportant on how to prevent it from coming back.

Thank you
Matrixnyc

[Irisservice]

Sounds like Cyno!!!
I just got rid of mine after a long battle.
Check these Three things
Water Flow -make sure you have good flow.

Lighting-Check to see if you bulbs are getting old,this was my problem after i replaced them the cyno started to go away

Nutrients-this is how they live from overfeeding and not enought water changes or poor water source.

[phistio]

when you're doing water changes, are you replacing with pure RO water...if so, make sure there are no minerals added...sometimes RO water contains minerals for taste (drinking water) and those minerals add nutrients in the water...

are you testing for phosphates? if so, what is your current level, algae outbreaks seem to occur when phosphates are higher than 1.0 mg/L

phosphate can be traced to a number of sources...as food in the aquarium decomposes, proteins from the food can cause dissolved phosphates, which in time accumulates in the water...enough builds up, and you have the growth providing nutrient for most forms of algae...and tap water again is the most common source of phosphate introduction to an aquarium...most municipal water facilities, inject phosphate into tap water.

to help rid the situation, i suggest to limit food, lighting, and do say a 15% water change with reverse osmosis water..

good luck!

[matrixnyc]

I will look into the water changes, It is a smaller nano tank 8 Gallon. What do you recommend the amount of water I change and how often?

Thanks again

[Jollymon]

I would only change about a gallon at each water change and probably weekly. If your like me, I only do a WC in my 10 gallon maybe twice a month. :oops:

[BigE]

I agree with Irisservice, increasing water flow, replacing/upgrading the lighting and using a quality water source should help get rid of cyano. It seems to feed mostly off of phosphates in the water so you could also try a phosphate sponge. I personally have never tried a phosphate sponge so couldn't give any first hand experience.

[ssgibby]

You should also be using RO or RO/DI water.

[matrixnyc]

Ok, so i will try the RO water changes first to see if it helps.

If i do the changes, say about once a week, starting today or tomorrow, how long do you figure once i see a reduction in red algae

The Lighting is new, about 2 months old. And I have tried to leave the lights off for a couple of days, with no luck.

[phistio]

matrix...

about a gallon a week should be sufficient for a water change...but might i suggest doing things very slow as not to shock the system...

on a nano reef, the system is much more susceptable to "enviro-shock" from sudden changes in water perameters...

here's the way i perform all water changes in my 25 gallon reef tank...

i bought a small air manifold...used for running many air lines, but each has a flow control valve...my particular unit has two inputs, and three outputs...one can probably be found for under $3.00...and buy about 10 ft. of 1/4" tubing...

start by creating a siphon and place a bucket below tank level for waste water...let the water barely run, almost a fast drip by restricting the flow with the control valve...you can induct the new R/O water in the same way, placing the water above the tank (most likely on top of the canopy if possible)...this method takes substantially longer, but it is in my opinion, much more effective!

i use this drip method for everthing i do, whether it be acclimating corals, fish or inverts...and to add my kalkwasser solution...when i do the kalkwasser i let it drip very slowly, like less than a drip a second...it takes several days to empty a half gallon of kalkwasser into the tank...

i might also suggest to buy a low-range or medium range phosphate test kit...SeaTest makes one.

also, how long has your tank been set up? and what is your current light cycle? when you set up the tank, did you use tap water...i did, and that's how i know about the phosphate thing, so, slowly over time, i started replacing old water with R/O water only...a gallon at the grocery only costs about $0.70 cents...so, even if you only bought 10 dollars worth, you'd be set for a while...also...i keep 3 gallons pre-mixed with salt for changes, and 2 gallons pure R/O for topoffs from evaporation...they last me about a month...

good luck! and keep reefing!

[phistio]

oh, by the way...1 gallon is about 12.5% of your total tank volume...

i'd think you'd see a difference in the algae growth in about 2 weeks or so...

[matrixnyc]

Wow this is a lot of info at one time.

I will have to try some of your suggestions and keep you updated on how they turn out.

Wish me luck.

[Zack]

Hey man good luck with your tank :D

[HoopsGuru]

The existence of cyano is often misunderstood. Although much of the info above is on target, the fact that it feeds of phosphates is not. I pasted an excellent write up and cure of cyano in this thread:

http://www.reeflounge.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9

HTH

[Zack]

The existence of cyano is often misunderstood. Although much of the info above is on target, the fact that it feeds of phosphates is not. I pasted an excellent write up and cure of cyano in this thread:

http://www.reeflounge.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9

HTHWow that sure helped thanks man :D

[Zack]

frfrom cms
The existence of cyano is often misunderstood. Although much of the info above is on target, the fact that it feeds of phosphates is not. I pasted an excellent write up and cure of cyano in this thread:

http://www.reeflounge.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9

HTHWow that sure helped thanks man :D

[HoopsGuru]

I can attest to the fact that it helped me get rid of my cyano. Good luck!

[vpham97]

I hate to add chemical to a reef tank. But Chemiclean work pretty good for clearing up Red Slime from your tank.

[HoopsGuru]

There is no need to add chemicals when a simple natural solution is available! :wink: But I have heard similar success with the product but would only use it as an absolutely last resort.

[thingsreef]

I've heard products that contain sugar of any type can fuel these cyano outbreads. I use Kent marine reef plus and while I like the difference it seems to make in growth rate and coralline I monitor how much is needed by the amount of cyano that shows up. I add regularly and when I see a quarter size or so spot starting I stop adding and it goes away in about a week. I'm sure there's many things that can cause cyano but look at your additives.

P.S forgot to mention I figured out the reef plus thing after having an out break of cyano. I stopped additives and started adding them back 1 at a time (chromaplex, homemade food with zoe added, and reef plus). I've seen the reappearance with adding reef plus several times...every tanks different though